Mapps, McBride excel at 1st round of AD Baja

The first round of the third edition of the Abu Dhabi Baja Challenge 2025-2026, organised by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council in collaboration with the Emirates Motorsports Organization, concluded in Tilal Sweihan of the Al Ain region with more than 100 competitors from 31 countries, including more than 25 Emirati drivers, in an event that brought together professionals and amateurs from across the globe.

The opening round featured 62 motorcycles, 8 quads, 8 cars and 22 buggies, all competing on a desert-sand course spanning over 100 km through five laps among the soft sand dunes of the Al Ain desert, delivering a unique experience combining speed, skill and endurance.

The results saw several champions shine, with British driver David Mapps and co-driver David McBride crowned winners of the Cars (T3) category and taking the overall top spot.

Saudi driver Omar Al Lahm and co-driver Mohammed Al Maikel won the Cars (T1) category. Emirati driver Atif Al Zarouni and co-driver Patrick McMorn topped the T4 category. Emirati female driver Nora Al Jassasi and co-driver Hamad Al Zarouni also stood out in the same category. In the professional buggy category, Russian Sergey Kryakin finished first, followed by Lithuanian Emilia Gielazinkiene in second place, and Emirati Mansour Al Suwaidi was prominent among the quads category.

The winners were crowned by Sheikh Hamdan Bin Sultan Al Nehyan, Director of International Events at the Abu Dhabi Sports Council; Maher Al Badri, CEO of the Emirates Motorsports Organization; Ayman Al Bijaoui, Executive Director of Marketing & Sales at Bin Hamouda Automobiles; and Awad Al Murr, Advisor to the Emirates Motorsports Organization.

The second round of the challenge is scheduled for Dec.13, with registration details and schedule to be announced soon.

Meanwhile, the Qatar International Baja will be the penultimate round of the FIM Bajas World Cup from on Nov. 6 - 8.

While competitors in the FIA World Baja Cup wait for the outcome of this weekend’s Baja Portalegre 500 in Portugal before the latest championship standings are known before the Lusail-based event, riders competing in the FIM category are already making final preparations for their title-deciding rounds in Qatar and Dubai.

This year’s FIM Bajas World Cup is being fought out over just seven counting rounds after the Hungarian Baja pulled out of the series in August.

Action began across the deserts of north-central Saudi Arabia for the Hail Baja at the start of February and then moved on to the narrow and twisty gravel tracks of Portugal for the Baja Escuderia Castelo Branco in wet conditions.

British rider Alex McInnes claimed his maiden win on the series opener and then Junior rider Martin Ventura got the better of Jorge Brandao and Paulo Cardoso to win in Portugal.

MX Ride Dubai’s Mohammed Al-Balooshi then confirmed his fifth victory at the Jordan Baja in April, an event that was held across the spectacular desert terrain of Wadi Rum in the south of the Hashemite Kingdom.