3/3 – FIM Bajas World Cup

The FIM Bajas World Cup is an international off-road racing series for motorcycles, quads and large adventure bikes. A Baja is more compact than a classic rally raid: events usually run over a few days on long, fast stages through desert, gravel and rough terrain. Navigation, endurance and reliability are decisive.

Classes

In 2026, a team classification for motorcycles was introduced for the first time. A team must field at least two riders with the same FIM team licence. At each round, the points of the two best-placed team riders are added together. Another important point: to be officially classified, a rider must complete the entire final day of the event, including stages and liaison sections, and bring the motorcycle into the final parc fermé on time.

2026 points system

At each round, points are awarded according to placing within the respective category or class:

25 – 20 – 16 – 13 – 11 – 10 – 9 – 8 – 7 – 6 – 5 – 4 – 3 – 2 – 1 (1 point from 15th place)

No additional points are awarded for the overall “scratch” result across all classes. A rider can therefore, for example, score points for his Moto category and also for a special classification, provided he is eligible for it.

As the 2026 calendar comprises seven rounds, only the six best results count at the end of the season. The worst result thus becomes a discard. If six or fewer rounds are actually held, however, all results would count. In the event of a tie on points, the following decides:

1. the greater number of wins,
2. then the greater number of second places, third places and so on,
3. finally the better result at the last round.

History of the series

The present-day FIM Bajas World Cup has been run as an international FIM series since 2012. It emerged as a more compact counterpart to the very long cross-country rallies and rally raid events. The term “Baja” stands for short, intense off-road rallies, normally held over one to two racing days plus a possible prologue. Their sporting roots lie in classic desert and long-distance races: fast tracks, sand, rocks, roadbook navigation and a mix of special stages and public liaison sections. Compared with the Dakar, the events are shorter and logistically more manageable, but remain demanding for the riders.In the early years the emphasis was strongly on classic rally motorcycles and quads. The format was expanded later.

The series has also broadened geographically. Traditional European rounds such as Aragón and Portuguese Bajas are now combined with events in the Middle East, for example in Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Qatar and Dubai. In 2026 the World Cup season comprises seven rounds in six countries and on two continents. For ambitious motorcycle riders, the series is thus a kind of link between national rally raid sport and the World Rally-Raid Championship: shorter races, but with FIM regulations, professional timekeeping, GPS monitoring and international competition.

Standings as of 31 July 2026

After three rounds, the Emirati Mohammed Al-Balooshi on a KTM leads the 450 cc main class with 90 points. In total, the FIM currently lists 66 registered riders in this class. The rounds so far were:
Saudi Baja Hail – Alex McInnes won the season opener.

Jordan Baja – McInnes won again and, with two victories, took the early lead in the standings.
Baja TT Dehesa Extremadura, Spain – victory for young Briton Ethan Lane ahead of Sara García, Paulo Cardoso, Abdulhalim Al-Mogheera and Mohammed Al-Balooshi.

Extremadura was particularly remarkable: in temperatures of around 39 °C, Sara García led the overall classification for a time and ended up second in the motorcycle classification and winner of the women’s class. Alex McInnes crashed in the prologue and was unhurt, but lost his chance of victory through a time penalty.

Rider	Nation	Motorcycle/make 2026	Role in the Baja series	Dakar/rally raid background
Mohammed Al-Balooshi	🇦🇪 UAE	KTM/Husqvarna*	🏆 Defending champion, 4× World Cup winner	Very experienced rally raid/Dakar rider
Alex McInnes	🇬🇧 GBR	KTM	⭐ One of the strongest young riders, Junior	Young rally raid talent, on the way to bigger rallies
Abdulhalim Al-Mogheera	🇸🇦 KSA	KTM	🥈 Consistent front-runner	Strong desert/rally raid rider
Ethan Lane	🇬🇧 GBR	KTM	🌟 Junior, Extremadura 2026 winner	Up-and-coming rally raid talent
Konrad Dąbrowski	🇵🇱 POL	KTM	⭐ Very fast junior/youngster	Extensive rally raid experience
Sara García	🇪🇸 ESP	Yamaha	♀️ Front-runner; P2 overall in Extremadura	Multiple Dakar participant
Joanna Modrzewska	🇵🇱 POL	Triumph	♀️ Led the women’s classification ahead of Aragón	Rally raid on a large adventure bike platform
Tosha Schareina	🇪🇸 ESP	Honda	🚀 Guest starter/top favourite at Aragón	Honda factory rider, top Dakar rider
Lorenzo Santolino	🇪🇸 ESP	Sherco	🏆 2025 Aragón winner	Sherco factory rider and Dakar veteran
Bradley Cox	🇿🇦 RSA	Sherco	🚀 International top rider	Top Dakar/rally raid rider

Remaining 2026 calendar

Important changes: the Baja Castelo Branco was originally scheduled for 10–12 April and was postponed to 13–15 November because of severe storm damage. The Baja Aragón was originally due to take place on 24–26 July, but was moved to 11–13 September 2026. The season thus comprises seven rounds in six countries on two continents.

Key riders 2026

• Mohammed Al-Balooshi (UAE, KTM) is the big name of the series. He is a four-time FIM Bajas World Cup winner and the defending champion. His strength is above all his enormous experience and consistency over a full season.
• Alex McInnes (GBR, KTM) belongs to the young generation and was extremely strong at the start of the season. After Saudi Arabia and Jordan he led with 50 points; before the originally planned Aragón round he stood at 58 points. He also leads the junior classification by a clear margin.
• Abdulhalim Al-Mogheera (Saudi Arabia, KTM) is another regular front-runner. Before Aragón he was second with 46 points, ahead of Al-Balooshi. In Extremadura he finished fourth.
• Ethan Lane (GBR, KTM) is particularly interesting for the future. The junior won the Baja TT Dehesa Extremadura in June, ahead of Sara García, Paulo Cardoso, Al-Mogheera and Al-Balooshi.
• Sara García (ESP, Yamaha) is one of the most interesting female riders in the series. In Extremadura she even led the overall classification for a time and finally finished second among all motorcycles as well as winning the women’s classification.
• Konrad Dąbrowski (POL, KTM) is also one to watch. He belongs to the fast European rally raid contingent and returned in 2026 after an injury.

They are joined by riders such as Tosha Schareina (Honda), Lorenzo Santolino (Sherco) and Bradley Cox (Sherco). They do not necessarily ride every World Cup round, but can fight for the overall Baja win straight away when they start. Schareina, for instance, is a three-time Aragón winner.