Podium winners from Race One of the QSTK Championship at Losail International Circuit
Doha: Qatar’s promising rider Abdulla Al Qubaisi and seasoned hand Saeed Al Sulaiti shared honours during the opening round of Qatar Superstock 600 Championship at the Losail International Circuit.
In the first race, Qubaisi, the runner up from last season, started from the first place as he got the Superpole and managed to take the lead from the start of the race until the checkered flag.
Al Sulaiti finished in second place while Mashel Al Naimi grabbed the third spot on the podium. Newcomer from Bulgary, Mihail Florov finished in fourth place.
During the second race of the day, Al Sulaiti pushed from the start of the race and clinched victory ahead of Al Qubaisi and Al Naimi.
Al Qubaisi was pleased with his performance.
“In the first race, the bike was very good and I made a gap from the beginning but in the last two laps I started to lose the front and almost crashed. Saeed almost caught me in the last lap but I finished in first position,” Al Qubaisi said.
“In the second race, I was able to finish in the first position but in the last laps, I came across with the slow riders and they made me slow my rhythm,” said Al Qubaisi.
The defending QSTK600 champion, Al Sulaiti said he was satisfied with his results.
“It was a difficult round as Abdulla and Mashel are very well prepared. In race 1, I noticed that Abdulla and Mishal slowed their rhythm due some problem with the front tyre and I took advantage of that and got closer to them,” Al Sulaiti said.
“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,” Al Sulaiti added.
Al Naimi said he faced problems with his front tyre and hopes to solve it for round two.
“The first race was difficult. I was fast in the middle of the race but I couldn’t follow Abdulla and Saeed,” Al Naimi said. “The bike was perfect in the second race. I stayed with Abdulla and Saeed during the first half of the race but after that I had a problem with the front tyre and almost crashed. Overall I am happy and hope the next round will be better. I want to give my thanks to Ooredoo for sponsoring me and to QMMF and LCSC for their support,” Al Naimi said.
In the QSTK Trophy Race 1, Rayad Al Emadi finished first in his category followed by the French rider Jeremy Parola and the Australian Alastair Cunliffe respectively.
In the second race of the Trophy category, newcomer French rider took the victory followed by Rayad Al Emadi and the Kuwaiti rider Alexander Qabazard.
“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 I managed to finish in first position. This is my first time in the championship and I am very happy with the results,” Parola said.
“Race One was very good for me. I had new tyre and the bike was perfect. In race 2, I went with used tyres and it all changed a bit from the bike but overall, I am happy with the results,” Al Emadi said.
“I had a fast crash in the first race but in the second race, I was happy with my third position. I had some pain due to the crash and I could have done it better. But I am very happy that I made one podium at least,” Alexander said.
The 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.
