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Tribune News Network
DOHA
Mashel al Naimi, who lost the second round race to Saeed al Sulaiti, started the third round of the Qatar Superstock 600 promisingly at the Losail International Circuit on Thursday.
The Qatar Superstock 600 and Asia Talent Cup are being held as the support events to the Grand Prix of Qatar.
Sulaiti did not contesting in the third round as he is racing in the Moto2 as wild card for the QMMF Racing Team.
Naimi clocked his fastest lap of 2:05.921 in his 10th and last lap of the one-hour session. He twice posted 2:06 laps but pitted his bike, only to return later and get the fastest lap of the session on the board.
He was nearly one and a half seconds faster than the second quickest Nasser al Malki, who was timed at 2:07.386. Abdullah al Qubaisi was almost three seconds off the leader when he got 2:08.900.
Ali al Shammari and Soud al Thani rounded out the top five, lapping at 2:09 and 2:12, respectively.
In all, 14 riders are in the fray and with Sulaiti skipping this round due to Moto2 assignment, Naimi, who has clinched three of the four races so far, has a good opportunity to consolidate his position at the top.
The two races will be run early on Friday and Saturday.
