“I feel I’m mentally strong”
En bref
He had always dreamt of riding a motorbike in the wide open spaces of his Dubai, well before towers and skyscrapers were being built, but it wasn’t until he was 18 shortly after his father passed that he finally bought a bike, and that changed his life.
He began his racing career at 20 and quickly tasted success, winning the Arabic motocross championship in five consecutive years between 2009 and 2013. He also slowly moved to longer events, bajas and rally-raids, where he competed alongside his brother Sultan.
In 2012 Balooshi made history by becoming the first Emirati rider to take part in the Dakar but failed to reach the finish line in Lima after breaking his hand and shoulder.
In 2012 Balooshi made history by becoming the first Emirati rider to take part in the Dakar but failed to reach the finish line in Lima after breaking his hand and shoulder.
Six years later, he returned to complete the rally in 32nd place, and continued a superb 2018 by lifting the FIM Baja World Cup crown, thus becoming the first Arabic rider to win an FIM title in off-road rallies. He even managed to enter the Top 30 of the Dakar in 2019 (25th overall).
Since then the 46-year-old born in Dubai has had his ups and downs on the Dakar that has settled in neighboring Saudi Arabia.
The owner of the MX Ride Dubai and academy who trains the next generation of riders from all over the world just wants to carry on enjoying himself on two wheels, feeling free on his bike. After clinching another FIM Baja XWorld Cup, his third consecutive crown, Balooshi will be hoping to once again finish the Dakar, especially after pulling out as soon as stage 3 last January.
Ambition
MB: “On the last Dakar, I had opened the track on day 1 and 2 and had lots of issues with the navigation system and lost some precious time, including at the 48-hour stage. From then on, I had to play a lot of catch-up. Then on day 3, the bike stopped, and when I tried to get down from the bike to fix it, I had no feeling in my left leg, and I couldn’t move it. That really scared me. I was airlifted and spent two days in the hospital, and the feeling on the leg became normal again. It was a bit disappointing after you work so hard for one year, put in all the efforts, and involve so many people. There’s a lot of energy and budgeting involved. I was, this season, very happy to be crowned Baja World Cup winner once again in my home country. This achievement came with so much hard work, sacrifice, and training, pushing through injuries and never giving up.
I’ve put in good time and hours on the bike. I feel I’m mentally strong. I feel I matured as a rider. I’m looking forward to being there with the best riders of the world, fulfill my dream and hopefully be at the finish. A new chapter begins with more success to come.”
I’ve put in good time and hours on the bike. I feel I’m mentally strong. I feel I matured as a rider. I’m looking forward to being there with the best riders of the world, fulfill my dream and hopefully be at the finish. A new chapter begins with more success to come.”
