Women racing Dubai International Baja 2022 produced impressive results in Bike and Auto categories with Final Round of FIA World Cup of Cross Country Bajas deciding the overall winners. From seasoned rider’s to debut female entries on bike and behind the wheel, 2 days of racing total of 390.38kms spearheaded females capabilities to race extreme terrain over sand dunes at speed.
Dutch rider and near-to-be Dakar Rally Legend, Mirjam Pol achieved top honours winning Women FIM Bajas World Cup 2022, finishing 1st Overall in Women Bike category and P12 in Final Round in General category of 28 riders.
Drawing from experience racing 2022 Dakar Rally albeit as co-driver in T3 category, Margot Llobera produced stand-out performance in Bike category completing the 2 days in P20 with time of 10 hours, 15 minutes and 24 seconds. Rounding out top 3 women in Bike class was Polish rider Joanna Modrzewska posting P24 in Leg 1 and P20 in Leg 2 to finish P21 in General classification.
Women competing in T3 and T4 categories at Dubai International Baja proved their capabilities against their peers with driver Camelia Liporati taking the Women T4 Overall classification in 8 hours, 55 minutes, finishing P14 in General standings. Camelia’s win culminated in taking FIA Middle East Cup in T4 classification after racing Qatar Baja and Haíl Baja in Saudi Arabia.
Highlighting how versatile these women are, Camelia achieved success with T3 co-driver Taye Perry in Haíl Baja, and Xavier Blanco in Dubai International Baja, with Xavier confirmed as the Pink Lady’s co-driver for 2023 Dakar Rally.
Dutch driver Anja Van Loon made up 3 positions in T3 category over 2 days, posting P22 followed by P19 for P17 in General standings in time of 11 hours, 46 minutes, 42 seconds. Rounding out women in co-driver seat were Taye Perry racing for Buggyra ZM Racing – finishing in P22 in T3 and Monica Plaza cementing the Spanish duo in P27 after unfortunate break-down in Leg 2.
For certain, the sensation of FIA World Cup of Cross-Country Final Round at Dubai was national born Aliyyah Koloc. At mere 18 years of age, Aliyyah produced outstanding performance in debut year racing taking T3 overall win for FIA Middle East Cup for Cross Country Bajas 2022 at Final Round in Dubai. Capping off most successful first season, Aliyyah will partner with co-driver Taye Perry in 2023 Dakar Rally – which will be most anticipated watch world-wide.
Header photo: Aliyyah Koloc Image: Buggyra Racing.
Words: Sharon Cox.
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