Mohammed
Balooshi
United Arab Emirates
·
Rally Raid
Date of birth | 19 September 1979 |
|---|---|
Place of birth | Dubai, UAE |
Age | 46 |
Nationality | United Arab Emirates |
Career start | 2009 |
Discipline | Rally Raid Bike |
Mohammed Balooshi came to motorsport relatively late, beginning to ride seriously around the age of 20. Determined to make up for lost time, the Emirati trained intensively before entering competitive motocross and quickly began establishing himself on the national scene.
Balooshi’s breakthrough came in 2009, when he won the inaugural Arab Motocross Championship and added the Asian Supercross Championship title later that year. He successfully defended his Arab title in 2010 and also led the Red Bull Under My Wings project in the UAE, coaching seven young riders during a 24-hour desert training camp.
Making Dakar history
In 2012, Balooshi became the first Emirati rider to compete in the Dakar Rally. His debut ended prematurely after he suffered injuries during the event, but he said he would take a lot from the experience. “The Dakar Rally is a one-off; there’s nothing like it. I’ve done small rallies before, but those can’t compare with the Dakar.”
Becoming a world champion
Balooshi continued to excel in races across the Middle East and achieved a major breakthrough in 2018 when he won the FIM Bajas World Cup. In doing so, he became the first Arab rider to win a world title in an FIM off-road series. That same year, he returned to the Dakar and reached the finish for the first time, placing 32nd overall, before improving to 25th in 2019.
As well as competing around the world, Balooshi trains the next generation of riders through his MX Ride Dubai academy. He has also remained a regular Dakar competitor, finishing the rally again in 2022 and 2023.
Balooshi returned to the top of the FIM Bajas World Cup in 2023, sealing his second overall title with victory at the season-ending Dubai International Baja. He successfully defended the World Cup crown in 2024 to become a three-time champion, before winning it again in 2025 for a fourth career title and a third consecutive championship.
Red Bull’s Mohammed Balooshi at Monsoon Moto Trails
© Ahmed Al Fudhili / Red Bull Content Pool
Mohammed Al Balooshi rides Monsoon Moto Trails in Salalah
© Ahmed Al Fudhili / Red Bull Content Pool
Mohamed Balooshi flies the UAE flag at Dakar 2025
© Kin Marcin / Red Bull Content Pool
Mohammed Balooshi tackles Rally Dakar 2025 dunes
© Marcelo Maragni / Red Bull Content Pool