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Tribune News Network
DOHA
Qatar’s Abdulla al Qubaisi and defending champion Saeed al Sulaiti shared wins during the opening round of the Qatar Superstock 600 Championship at the Losail International Circuit.
In the first race, pole rider and last year’s runner-up Qubaisi stayed in the lead and held it till checkered flag. Sulaiti ended in second place ahead of Mashel al Naimi. Newcomer Mihail Florov of Bulgaria was fourth.
During the second race of the day, Sulaiti pushed Qubaisi right from the start and pulled off the victory, while Qubaisi and Naimi grabbed the second and third spots, respectively.
Qubaisi was very happy with his performance during the weekend.
“In the first race, the bike was very good and I created a gap from the beginning. In the last two laps I however started to lose the front and had almost crashed. Saeed almost caught me in the last lap but I finished in first position. In Race 2, I was could have got the first position but in the last laps, I came across with the slow riders who affected my rhythm, Qubaisi said.
Holder Sulaiti was satisfied with his results in the opening round. “It was a difficult round as Abdulla and Mashel were very well prepared. In Race 1, I noticed that Abdulla and Mashel had to slow their rhythm due a problem with the front tyre and I took advantage of that and got closer to them.
“In the last two laps, I was trying to overtake Abdulla but it was too risky with the slow riders and I preferred to secure the second place. In second race, I decided to push from the beginning, so I kept the rhythm and stayed in front until the end of the race. I want to congratulate everyone in this opening round,” added Sulaiti.
Naimi, who still appears to be having some problems with his front tyre and hopes to solve it before the second round, said, “The first race was difficult, I was fast in the middle of the race but I couldn’t follow Abdulla and Saeed. The bike was perfect in the second race, I stayed with Abdulla and Saeed the first half of the race but after I had a problem with the front tyre and almost crashed. Overall I am happy and hope the next round will be better for me. I want to thank to Ooredoo for sponsoring me, the QMMF and LCSC for their support,” Naimi said.
In the QSTK Trophy Race 1, Rayad al Emadi finished first, followed by French Jeremy Parola and Australian Alastair Cunliffe, respectively. In the second race, the newcomer French rider took the victory, while Emadi and Kuwaiti Alexander Qabazard were placed second and third, respectively.
“I expected a better result in the first race with the set up but in the second race, as it was a bit colder, I could improve my lap time and managed to finish in first position. This is my first time in the championship and I am very happy with the results,” said Parola.
“Race 1 was very good for me, I had new tyre and the bike was perfect. In Race 2, I went with used tyres and it changed the bike but overall, I am satisfied with my results in the first round, Emadi commented.
“I had a fast crash in the first race but in the second race, it was delightful to get the third spot. I had some pain due to the crash. I feel I could have done better, but I am very happy that I made one podium at least,” said Qabazard.
Trophies were presented by Major General Mohamed Saad al Kharji (Director General of Traffic Headquarters), Eng. Fahad Rashid al Kaabi (Manateq CEO), Jaber bin Talib bin Afifah (former rally driver), Abdulrahman al Mannai (QMMF President), Khalid al Remaihi (LCSC Vice-President and General Manager) and Abdulrazak al Kuwari (QMMF General Secretary).
The second round of Qatar Superstock Championship will be held on January 10 and 11, 2020.
DOHA
Qatar’s Abdulla al Qubaisi and defending champion Saeed al Sulaiti shared wins during the opening round of the Qatar Superstock 600 Championship at the Losail International Circuit.
In the first race, pole rider and last year’s runner-up Qubaisi stayed in the lead and held it till checkered flag. Sulaiti ended in second place ahead of Mashel al Naimi. Newcomer Mihail Florov of Bulgaria was fourth.
During the second race of the day, Sulaiti pushed Qubaisi right from the start and pulled off the victory, while Qubaisi and Naimi grabbed the second and third spots, respectively.
Qubaisi was very happy with his performance during the weekend.
“In the first race, the bike was very good and I created a gap from the beginning. In the last two laps I however started to lose the front and had almost crashed. Saeed almost caught me in the last lap but I finished in first position. In Race 2, I was could have got the first position but in the last laps, I came across with the slow riders who affected my rhythm, Qubaisi said.
Holder Sulaiti was satisfied with his results in the opening round. “It was a difficult round as Abdulla and Mashel were very well prepared. In Race 1, I noticed that Abdulla and Mashel had to slow their rhythm due a problem with the front tyre and I took advantage of that and got closer to them.
“In the last two laps, I was trying to overtake Abdulla but it was too risky with the slow riders and I preferred to secure the second place. In second race, I decided to push from the beginning, so I kept the rhythm and stayed in front until the end of the race. I want to congratulate everyone in this opening round,” added Sulaiti.
Naimi, who still appears to be having some problems with his front tyre and hopes to solve it before the second round, said, “The first race was difficult, I was fast in the middle of the race but I couldn’t follow Abdulla and Saeed. The bike was perfect in the second race, I stayed with Abdulla and Saeed the first half of the race but after I had a problem with the front tyre and almost crashed. Overall I am happy and hope the next round will be better for me. I want to thank to Ooredoo for sponsoring me, the QMMF and LCSC for their support,” Naimi said.
In the QSTK Trophy Race 1, Rayad al Emadi finished first, followed by French Jeremy Parola and Australian Alastair Cunliffe, respectively. In the second race, the newcomer French rider took the victory, while Emadi and Kuwaiti Alexander Qabazard were placed second and third, respectively.
“I expected a better result in the first race with the set up but in the second race, as it was a bit colder, I could improve my lap time and managed to finish in first position. This is my first time in the championship and I am very happy with the results,” said Parola.
“Race 1 was very good for me, I had new tyre and the bike was perfect. In Race 2, I went with used tyres and it changed the bike but overall, I am satisfied with my results in the first round, Emadi commented.
“I had a fast crash in the first race but in the second race, it was delightful to get the third spot. I had some pain due to the crash. I feel I could have done better, but I am very happy that I made one podium at least,” said Qabazard.
Trophies were presented by Major General Mohamed Saad al Kharji (Director General of Traffic Headquarters), Eng. Fahad Rashid al Kaabi (Manateq CEO), Jaber bin Talib bin Afifah (former rally driver), Abdulrahman al Mannai (QMMF President), Khalid al Remaihi (LCSC Vice-President and General Manager) and Abdulrazak al Kuwari (QMMF General Secretary).
The second round of Qatar Superstock Championship will be held on January 10 and 11, 2020.
