X-Raid Mini’s Krotov and Zhiltsov snatch maiden win in Qatar

LUSAIL (Qatar): The X-Raid Mini Team’s Denis Krotov and Konstantin Zhiltsov overtook the overnight-leading Dania Akeel and Stéphane Duplé to snatch a first victory in an enthralling three-day Qatar International Baja on Saturday afternoon.

Meanwhile, MX Ride Dubai’s Mohammed Al-Balooshi (KTM) delivered one of the greatest rides of his career to overturn a 15-minute deficit and upstage team-mate Abdullah Al-Shatti and win for the second time in the motorcycle category. Saudi Arabia’s Hani Al-Noumesi (Yamaha) won the quad section.

Saturday’s action featured one stage of 251.10km that started to the east of Dukhan and wound its way through the western Qatar deserts before cutting across the country to take in the dunes near Sealine and the Inland Sea in the south. The special then turned north to finish south of the Al-Udeid Airbase, east of Mesaieed.

Dania Akeel was first on the road and attempting to become the first woman ever to win a Baja-type event in the Middle East. She had a 1min 32.9sec lead to defend but Krotov applied the pressure from the outset. It took the Mini driver over 45 minutes to catch the determined Saudi but he gained the virtual rally lead on the run southeast before the run towards the dunes and the Inland Sea.

Akeel kept Krotov in her sights for much of the stage but the X-Raid driver gave the new petrol-engined Mini JCW Rally 3.0i a maiden win by a somewhat flattering margin of 30min 06.7sec.

A delighted Krotov said: “I am very happy to come back to Qatar and take the win with the new petrol Mini. This race is very challenging and tough for the driver, co-driver and the car. I am proud that we have the first victory with X-Raid in the new car. I am sure this project has a great future. Thanks to the organisers for an amazing race. Our crew was on the podium last year and now we have won.”