Today I will be opening the third stage – and I cannot wait to take it on. The strategy is simple. I will do my own navigation and go as fast as I can and try to finish the stage with minimum damage and see where I am in the standings.

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Looking back at the first two stages, I have to say I am happy with how I’ve performed. I am going on the right track and aiming to improve on each day. What is very important for me is finishing each stage with the best result I can achieve.

That said, the start yesterday was a bit of a nightmare. It was a unique stage and it began with a mass start. Everything began well but then I had a problem with my lens so I couldn’t see clearly through my goggles.

With it being a mass start, we all went off together and everyone was going at high speeds so the sand went on my goggles and got stuck in the lens. It’s quite a common thing and although it was difficult to see clearly, I had to wait until I refueled to fix the problem. It was a big mistake not to carry any spare goggles with me as it cost me time.

But I never gave up and I tried to catch up with the guys by pushing hard. It was a bit frustrating with the problems. I’ve been doing this sport for 17 years and I should’ve taken extra precaution as everyone carries an extra pair of goggles with them. But I still managed a fourth-placed finish, which was good and it is something that I’m happy with as it shows that I’m moving in the right direction.

All in all, I’m quite proud of my performance yesterday because this kind of experience teaches you a lot of things and for me, I’m making the most of it and I’m representing the UAE in this world championship.

I take my job very seriously and I want to put on a good show for the UAE. There is no pressure from the team but I have the responsibility to put on a good show for my country. I want to make them proud.