BAJA DUBAI 2025

Dubai turned up the heat once again with the 2025 Dubai International Baja, the grand finale of both the FIA World Baja Cup and the FIA Middle East Baja Cup. The event, based in vibrant Dubai Festival City, drew adventurous crews from across the globe to tackle challenging desert terrain, from the rocky heights of Hatta to the sweeping sands of Al Qudra - a true test of driver skill, machine resilience and pure grit in the middle of the UAE’s stunning landscapes.

Competition was fierce, with UAE favourites shining on home soil. Emirati bike legend Mohammed Al Balooshi secured a record-breaking fourth FIM World Cup title, proving once again he’s one of the sport’s toughest riders on sand. In the quads category, Abdulaziz Ahli dominated despite late mechanical drama and even ceded a stage win to Poland’s Marcin Wilkolek without losing grip on his overall victory. On four wheels, Argentina’s Juan Cruz Yacopini and co-driver Dani Oliveras took the rally win in the car class, rounding off a strong season.

But even sweeter for me was bumping into my old Instagram friend, Xavier Panseri. Xavier - a seasoned French rally co-driver with decades of rally and cross-country experience - was part of the SSV field, racing alongside top talent Fernando Alvarez on this occasion. And of course, I spotted several Polish competitors out on the dunes too, showing how diverse and international the Baja scene has become. Konrad Dąbrowski delivered a standout performance by winning the motorcycle category, showcasing both speed and tenacity on the demanding desert stages. Polish rider Joanna Modrzewska also impressed by winning the women’s category and adding to the weekend’s success story for competitors from Poland.