Dozens of riders set for motocross event

Top riders from across the Middle East are primed for action as the UAE’s first Arab Motocross Championship event gets underway on Friday. Organised by the Automobile and Touring Club of the UAE (ATCUAE), the event has attracted 67 riders from Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Sudan and the host country. The competitors are split into two bike categories (MX1 and MX2) and one pro quad bike category, with many tackling the challenging 1,600 metre track for the first time. Thursday’s action was dominated by seven hours of practice sessions across all categories, meaning all riders have now had a feel for the challenging 1,600m course, although the real test will come when the action begins in earnest on Friday. The DMX Motocross Track is located opposite the Jebel Ali Golf Resort and Spa and is free to attend for all visitors. Home favourite Mohammad Al Beloushi, who is among ten Emiratis competing this weekend, said after his morning practice run: “The DMX track is very technical. Running counter clockwise, riders have to make a sharp left hand turn from the starting gates, and it will take a very skilled rider to complete the circuit in less than two minutes.” “I am really looking forward to putting in a top performance on my home turf and I hope there will be plenty of local support getting behind the UAE team tomorrow.” The riders will have one more practice session at 10am on Friday, followed by two races for each category in the afternoon, before prizegiving rounds off the weekend. From Gulfnews