The UAE is a prime location for motocross professionals and amateurs, and racers often from all over the world come to the UAE to experience its unique terrain. One such enthusiast is Jinan C.D., a 38-year-old motocross champion who moved here from India to compete professionally.
Jinan started his racing career when he was 18 as a hobby, but turned pro early on and now races under Team Liberty Kawasaki in Dubai. “The transition to the UAE was a good experience, especially when you have the awesome ongoing support from Team Liberty Kawasaki. I am very happy to ride for them and this powerful machine,” he says.
In India, Jinan won the Indian National Motocross Championship title five consecutive times from 2002 to 2006. After moving here he has won the UAQ Motocross, the DMX, and the Kuwait MX, and more recently came second place in the UAQ Motocross Championship. He is now in training to compete in the Asian Motocross Championship.
Jinan praises the high standard of motocross competitions in the UAE. “The good thing about motocross here is that riders are much faster. The level of competition is high because riders come from many countries, and because the tracks are very tough”.
Jinan says that his motocross inspiration is James Bubba Stewart, an African American professional motocross racer who is currently competing in ‘supercross’, an off road challenge that consists of steep jumps and obstacles.
“Though I go through a lot of crashes and pain in the races, I always tell myself that it is part of the game. I realized long ago that motocrossing would be my chosen profession, even though it is a very tough sport.”
Jinan tells aspiring motocross racers to always remember the principles of good motocrossing, “Work hard, be positive, squeeze the throttle, whip the system, and always wear safety gear,” he laughs.
