Konrad Dabrowski, 2026 Qatar International Baja ©_edophoto
The Qatar International Baja was the fifth round of the FIM Bajas World Cup and didn’t disappoint riders seeking a challenge, testing their skills in navigation, tyre management and coping with the excessive heat.
After 532.36 km of selective sections, Konrad Dąbrowski made motorcycling history by becoming the first rider to win this event four times (2022, 2023, 2025, and 2026). In so doing, he surpassed the three rally victories achieved in Qatar by Spaniard Marc Coma in 2012, 2013, and 2015. Meanwhile, Emirati rider Khalifa Al-Bastaki (Yamaha) claimed victory in the Quad category.
Young Pole Dąbrowski (Duust KTM) took the lead as early as the Prologue. The battle for the win soon narrowed down to three main rivals: Alex McInnes (KTM), Romain Dumontier (KTM), and Toni Mulec (KTM).
Following Friday’s opening day, which featured a 336km stage, fifth-placed Ethan Lane was already trailing by more than 26 minutes.
Starting 10th in the first Selective Section (SS1) – a position he chose following his Prologue win – Dąbrowski put his navigational training to good use and finished 5min 17sec in front of McInnes, the current leader of the FIM Bajas World Cup.
“It was a tough day,” explained Dąbrowski upon arriving in Lusail. “I caught up with Alex around 13km into the stage and we caught the lead group together. After that, I spent most of the stage out in front. I couldn’t figure out how to shake the others and Alex stayed glued to my rear wheel. He later explained that his roadbook holder had failed.”
McInnes finished second, more than five minutes behind Dąbrowski, while Romain Dumontier – competing solo without a support crew or spare parts – got his first taste of the Qatar International Baja and its highly-technical navigation, coming in third for the opening stage, 12min 36sec off the pace.
Duust Rally Team rider Dąbrowski led the way, hoping to defend his 5min 18sec advantage over McInnes. But, when you’re the one opening the track, nothing is ever a sure thing.
The 204.19km stage began southwest of Doha before heading toward the Sealine dunes. Dumontier won the stage, finishing 1min 58sec ahead of McInnes, who got slightly lost early on. Dąbrowski posted the third-fastest time, which was enough to secure the overall victory – 5min 12sec ahead of McInnes after the Briton incurred a two-minute penalty.
“The plan was simple,” Dąbrowski commented. “Don’t get lost and lead the race until we reached the dunes to ensure my navigation was on point. When the others caught up, I rode with them and kept the race under control. The dunes were fun but demanding, and navigating through the camel grass was physically gruelling, especially with the intense heat. It was a good day; I had a lot of fun, and I’m happy to have secured four consecutive victories in Qatar.”
McInnes can take heart, as his second-place finish bolsters his title aspirations for the FIM Bajas World Cup, while Dumontier rounded out the podium in third.
“I really enjoyed this race,” the young Briton explained.
“Early in the special stage, there was a tricky note in the road book, so I slowed down; Romain caught up, and we rode together. The dunes were fantastic. We were weaving through them, taking turns opening the track. I hope to clinch the title in Dubai, as that’s my home turf…”
Ethan Lane managed to get the better of Slovenian rider Toni Mulec to secure fourth place overall. Michael Anderson and Robert Wallace finished sixth and seventh, respectively, while Norway’s Hans Dovland (Gas Gas) managed to edge out the reigning FIM champion, Mohammed Al-Balooshi, on the final day to take eighth. Horlemann finished ninth after Al-Balooshi incurred late time penalties.
In the Quad category, Emirati rider Khalifa Al-Bastaki maintained the lead he had established the previous day, securing the win ahead of his compatriot Abdulaziz Ahli. Ahmed Al-Jaber, who arrived in Qatar leading the FIM Bajas World Cup in the Quad class, was unable to start the final stage. Hani Al-Noumesi finished third, ahead of Abdulaziz Al-Atawi.
Dąbrowski also claimed the top spot in the Junior category, ahead of McInnes and Lane. Joanna Modrzewska was the only female rider to finish, as Priyankka Dutta did not complete the second special stage. Al-Balooshi finished first in the Veteran category, ahead of Tomasz Niedzwiedzki and Ola Floene.
