Rajhi wins World Cup for Cross-country Bajas title

South Africa’s men made it four Dubai titles in a row with a 21-5 win against Ireland, underlining their dominance in the desert. Having missed out on the medals in the first tournament, it was a timely response from the Blitzboks

to not only the World Series crown but also the Commonwealth Games and Rugby World Cup Sevens gold medals.

“Our coaches say we are queens of the desert, we thrive off heat, so for us, it was just a golden win,” said player of the final, Ashby.

France women’s team won bronze at both Dubai events last season but they were denied this time around as the US secured a 21-12 victory.

Tries from two of their star performers, Lou Noel and Valentine Lothoz helped Les Bleues recover from the setback of conceding a try to Naya Tapper in the first minute, but a high error count thereater stymied their progress.

Bidding for their first medal since Malaga 10 months ago, the US refused to concede defeat and Cheta Emba’s try and Kayla Canet’s second conversion put them back in front at 14-12.

US safely saw out Ilona Maher’s sin-bin period and then, from 70 metres out, Kris Thomas extended her side’s lead. With Canet adding the extra two points, the Women’s Sevens Eagles were two scores up, at 21-12, but it took a brilliant cover tackle from Maher on Yolaine Yengo to keep it that way.

Camille Grassineau’s try with second let on the clock made for a grandstand finish but the USA managed to claim possession at the restart and booted the ball off the field.

The top four teams in each competition at the end of the World Series will be guaranteed a spot in the Paris 2024 line-up.

DUBAI: Saudi Arabia’s Yazeed Al Rajhi completed an emphatic second leg in Dubai to secure back-to-back Dubai International Baja wins and two FIA World Cup for Cross Country Bajas titles in a row.

Meanwhile, Polish rider Konrad Dabrowski took on the dunes of Dubai to come home second in the season finale, ater a dramatic conclusion saw him crowned FIM Bajas World Cup champion ahead of favourites Mohammad Al Balooshi for the UAE and Portugal’s Fabio Magalhaes.

Leg 2 of the Dubai International Baja covered a total of 317km, with 196km of a technical Special Stage – the Toyota SS – as organisers Emirates Motorsports Organisation (EMSO) and Official Automotive Partner Al Futaim-toyota put on a spectacular season showdown.

“We’re very happy to have brought World Cup rallying back to Dubai,” said Khalid Ben Sulayem, President of the Emirates Motorsports Organization, ahead of the official podium prize giving.

“The event has been a huge success and we are happy to see that the new format and new venue have brought so much excitement to the competition. It brings a lot of pride to see so many championship winners decided here, and it all adds to what has been an thrilling holiday weekend of celebration.”

The Dubai International Baja is perfectly situated to make or break title hopes, and the past two days of action have proved just that. With Strategic Partner Emirates National Oil Company Group (ENOC) keeping the action flowing, the contenders took to the course in search of championship honours.

Partnered by Dirk von Zitzewitz in a Toyota Hilux Overdrive, Rajhi recovered from a difficult first leg to win the final round of the 2022 FIA World Cup for Cross Country Bajas.

Returning to the same area between Al Qudra and Lisaili, but running in the opposite direction to Leg 1, Al-rajhi conquered the new set of challenges presented by the unfamiliar route to retain his championship title.

Rajhi said: “We enjoyed it so much. Dubai was awesome and now we want to win more. Every win is never enough. We always want more.” Things were tight at the top of the T3 category as the drivers arrived in Dubai Festival City, and the drama continued in the Dubai International Baja, adding to the excitement of UAE National Day.

A strong showing from Dania Akeel saw the Saudi Arabian lead the way in the Dubai Baja, ahead of championship winner Fernando Alvarez, who secured the title at the Saudi Baja in November.

In the T4 class, it was a front three lock out for the Goczals, with Eryk coming out on top to win the category at the season-ending Dubai Baja. Winning the T4 title is Cristiano Batista, who crucially finished ahead of closest rival UAE’S Mshari Al-thefiri ater the day’s action.