Manosur Balhelei aims for SSV lead at Baja España Aragón

By James Mercer • 11 September 2026, 05:45 • 3 mins read

Just 15 points separate Manosur Balhelei from the SSV class leader as the Liwa team heads to Teruel for the rescheduled Baja España Aragón. The Emirati driver and co-driver Khalid Al Kendi are set for a decisive World Cup round that could reshape the championship race.

Manosur Balhelei heads into Baja España Aragón with the SSV title within reach, trailing Norway's Hedda Hosas by 15 points in the FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Bajas. Balhelei, representing the Liwa team with co-driver Khalid Al Kendi, knows a strong finish in Teruel could change the championship standings with only a few rounds left. According to Campeones.com.ar, Hosas leads the SSV class with 176 points, Balhelei is second at 161, and Argentina's Fernando Alvarez sits third with 138.

The Liwa team faces a high-pressure weekend. The Spanish round, originally set for July, was moved to September, tightening the calendar and raising the stakes for every contender. This change, confirmed by X-raid Team and MCNews, has forced teams to adjust their preparation and strategy for the Spanish terrain. In the overall drivers' standings across all categories, Balhelei is fifth, 44 points behind Oman's Hamad Al Wahaibi, who leads with 205.

Baja España Aragón was officially included in the 2026 FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Bajas calendar, with the Spanish round rescheduled from July to September.

X-raid Team

For Liwa, the Spanish leg is more than just another race. Competing in the SSV category with their Can-Am Maverick R, Balhelei and Al Kendi are chasing points and defending their reputation as one of the UAE's top rally teams on the international stage. The result in Teruel will directly affect their championship hopes and could shape the rest of their season. There is some inconsistency in the spelling of the leader's name-some sources list "Hedda Hosas," others "Heda Hosas"-a detail Campeones.com.ar notes should be checked against official FIA records.

The Baja España Aragón, sanctioned by the FIA, is known for its tough terrain and unpredictable conditions. The rescheduling has forced teams to rethink their logistics and approach, adding another challenge to an already competitive World Cup. Every stage in Teruel will count, with the SSV class shaping up as one of the closest battles of the year. FIA regulations require that any official changes in classification or results come from published sporting documents, not just news reports.

With the World Cup's fifth round underway, all eyes are on whether Balhelei can close the gap to Hosas and take the SSV lead. The Liwa team's performance in Spain will determine their immediate ranking and could influence the standing of UAE rally drivers on the world stage. If Balhelei delivers under pressure, it will show that Emirati drivers are a real presence in international rallying.

As of the latest available sources, there is no confirmation that an official final protocol for the SSV class after the Teruel stage has been published, nor evidence of a change in the class leadership. According to FIA regulations, only official sporting documents can confirm such changes, underscoring the importance of relying on primary sources for championship standings.

FIA

Topics: Motorsport Events Athlete Stories #Liwa

UAE CUE Sports Desk

James Mercer

James Mercer is the Founder, Owner, Publisher and Managing Director of UAE CUE Sports, where he oversees editorial direction and the publication's development across the Emirates. He writes about UAE sport, sports media, major events, venues, sports business and the wider relationship between participation, audiences and the country's sporting industry.