From desert dust to victory lane: The journey of Jordanian MX Champion Abdullah ‘Al Sab3’

AMMAN — Abdullah Abu Aisheh, also known as “Al Sab3,” is a 31-year-old Jordanian motocross (MX) rider from Zarqa who became the country’s leading athlete in the daring sport, and is now conquering the international scene. 

Abu Aisheh was first intrigued by MX when he saw bikers performing audacious stunts on the weekends while he trained on the football field. This passion led him to start riding motorbikes at a very young age, even before it was legally allowed for minors in Jordan, he told The Jordan Times. 

He asked his parents to get him his first professional bike at the age of nine.

“I immediately wanted to go big and get a professional bike, but my parents didn’t allow me. Instead, they got me a scooter at the age of nine, which is when I really became more serious about it — having my own bike, even a scooter, allowed me to experiment and become bolder every day,” Abu Aisheh said.

He then started training off-road and on his family’s farm, pushing the boundaries of what was legal. As he grew older, his bikes grew bigger, allowing him to perform more advanced stunts.

“I practised off-road riding secretly until I was old enough to legally own a motorbike,” he confessed.

Wadi Rum, the Dead Sea and the Dibben Forest in Jerash are just a few of many off-road locations in Jordan that Abdullah has explored on his motorcycle, as there were no professional off-road tracks he could use to train.

Abu Aisheh’s journey took a momentous turn when he joined KTM Amman, an Austrian MX bike brand. With their support, he began to dominate local races and win champion titles. His victories eventually caught the attention of Red Bull, and he soon found himself sponsored for championships and training in Dubai, starting his professional career at the age of 26.

Abu Aisheh’s professional accolades include placing 1st at the 2017 Jordan Enduro Cup, 2018 KTM Enduro Cup, 2019 Dubai Motocross Championship — Clubmen Class and 2019 Dubai Endurocross Championship MX 2 Class. The athlete has also won 2nd place at the Dubai Endurocross – Middle East Class, 4th place overall at the 2022 Baja World Cup Championship and 6th place at 2019 Baja European Championship in Portugal.

With a sport as demanding and fast-paced as motocross, mental resilience is a crucial aspect of success, the athlete said. Abu Aisheh adheres to a strict schedule during the off-season, combining gym workouts with desert track sessions. However, despite his rigorous preparations, injuries are an inevitable part of the sport. He faced the adversity of a broken collarbone, but proved his tenacity by bouncing back onto the track after just 40 days of recovery.

Beyond motocross, Abu Aisheh works as a bike technician, utilising his knowledge to fix bikes and tackle mechanical challenges that arise during races. Off the track, he enjoys other extreme sports like car drifting, swimming and skiing.

As a role model for aspiring riders in Jordan, Abu Aisheh dreams of creating opportunities for the next generation, and welcoming foreign MX enthusiasts to explore the unique landscapes of Jordan. With the desire to establish a professional academy and a public motocross track, he aims to inspire and mentor young talents, despite the challenges posed by the sport’s expensive nature in the country. 

With upcoming competitions on the horizon, Abu Aisheh remains committed to pushing his limits and chasing new victories, fuelled by his passion for motocross and the desire to bring this thrilling sport to greater heights in Jordan.