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Mohamed al-Balooshi won both the races of the second round of Qatar International Enduro (QIE) at Sealine yesterday. A total of 31 riders took part in the event, which is organized by Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF). |
The Emirati rider, who is also the defending champion in the E2 category, led both the races throughout, giving no chance to the other riders.
In the first race, al-Balooshi crossed the checkered flag 49.179 seconds ahead of E1 rider Ryan Blair.
Kuwaiti riders Mohamed Jaffar and Barak al-Jasmi finished second and third place respectively in the E1 category.
In E2, UAE’s Saeed al-Shenqiti finished second and Kuwait’s Moaath al-Ansari finished third.
In the second race, Balooshi finished 5.756 second ahead of his E1 rider Jaffar.
Blair and Abdullah al-Shatti completed the podium in the E1 category while al-Shenqiti and Sultan al-Balooshi of UAE finished second and third respectively in E2.
“I was happier with my riding in the second race. I got the start and then just controlled the race and that’s a good feeling. I like to do this, play cat and mouse with the riders behind me, first with Ryan and Saeed, and then with Jaffar. Then I just kept my rhythm, rode smart, no mistakes and reached the checkered flag first. In the first race, even though I won, I was not happy and I changed the bike for the second race,” al-Balooshi said after the second race.
“The race from the start was difficult for me as I had a crash in the second lap so sand started to get into my googles and I decided to take them off, so my eyes were very sore, but I am happy that I managed to do some passes and finish first in my class,” said Blair, who rode a KTM.
“It is my first participation in the Enduro and it is more difficult than I realized. I am used to the sand but this track is really difficult, but it is challenging and I love it. I will definitely be back.”
In the Quads category, the podiums were the same in both races. The winner was Fahad al-Musallam of Kuwait and Mohamed al-Khulaifi finished second. Qatar’s Adel Abdulla Hussein finished third.
QMMF president Nasser Khalifa al-Attiyah thanked to all the participants, organisations, stewards and the teams for making it a successful event. “All participants and teams are very happy. This is part of what QMMF’s focus is on, to give good treatment and good facilities to the competitors,” he said.
“We have a very beautiful terrain with dunes next to the seaside. The race is difficult with hard terrain, so this is a combination we have here and we let the riders to enjoy and practice for more races in the future.”
Points Standings (top three)
E1 Category
1. Mohamed Jaffar 97
2. Barak al-Jasmi 74
3. Abdullah al-Shatti 73
E2 Category
1. Mohamed al-Balooshi 100
2. Saeed al-Shenqiti 88
3. Moath al-Ansari 78
QUADS
1. Fahad al-Musallam 25
2. Mohamed al-Khulaifi 44
3. Adel Abdulla Hussein 40