QMMF President, Nasser Khalifa al-Attiyah (left), President of Youthstream Group Giuseppe Luongo (right) and the Motocross riders during the inauguration of the Race Control at the Losail MX track yesterday. Right: Nasser al-Attiyah (left) and American rider Ryan Villopoto.
By Joe Koraith/Doha
It’s that time of the year when all the dirt bike fans in Qatar get to experience the sport at its pinnacle. The opening round of the FIM Motocross World Championship starts today at the Losail MX track and there’s history being made already.
Qatar was the first country to have a MXGP under lights and now the Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) has pulled off another first by introducing Race Control for the first time in the history of the sport.
“We are always glad to start new things and create a record for Qatar. Like we did with the first night race for Motocross and now we are adding for the first time ever – Race Control,” said Nasser Khalifa al-Attiyah, QMMF President and FIM Deputy President, during the press conference yesterday.
Race Control will be the first time that a CCTV system will be used on a MXGP track with 16 cameras monitoring the race.
“The night race was interesting for the riders because they had something special – a different type of race. And this year we are adding another but of technology. This will enhance the safety aspect of the race. That is what we are investing in, technology that we can use to better the future of the riders and the officials,” al-Attiyah added.
This will be third time that the Motocross World Championship will be held in Doha and al-Attiyah was thankful that Qatar was given the opportunity. “We are very happy to host this event again in Qatar. It is really amazing for us. We would also to thank the FIM for their support. What we have been able to achieve has improved year after year. We welcome everyone to Qatar and hope that everyone has a good and enjoyable weekend here. I also hope that we have a good race that will make for a great start to the season,” said the QMMF President.
As for the riders themselves, this season promises to be the biggest ever.
Leading the pack is the defending MXGP Champion and eight-time World Champion, Antonio Cairoli. “It’s always difficult to find something new in racing. But we are getting faster and stronger. My motivation is always the same. I love this sport and I live for the motorcycle. Even if I am at home and not racing, I will on a bike. It’s this passion for motorcycles in general and Motocross that keeps me going,” said Cairoli yesterday.
New entrant
While Cairoli will be looking to win his seventh title in a row this year, there’s an American who has decided to venture out of his homeland to challenge the superiority of the Italian. Ryan Villopoto is the undisputed king of Motocross in the USA. He has won the Supercross four times and the motocross three times in the AMA races in America. But that wasn’t enough and he wants a world title next to his name. Racing for the Kawasaki team, Villopoto will be the biggest threat to Cairoli this season.
“It’s been a long off season. This should be very interesting for me and everybody that’s involved. I think we are ready and we have done what we needed to do,” said Villopoto yesterday.
“The guys up here are no slouches. They are really good and they’re going to catch me off guard in some places and I’m hoping to catch them off guard in others. I think it’s going to be a long and interesting season of racing,” the American added.
This season will see the strongest line up of rider ever with 18 of them having won a GP. Last year’s Qatar GP winner Gautier Paulin, now with Honda, will be hoping that he can pull off a repeat of last year’s performance.
“This year the challenge among the riders is very high. Everybody is focussed on the fight between Antonio and Ryan but don’t forget the other riders. We have many riders capable of winning the MXGP. This year in MXGP there are 18 riders who have already won a GP. It will be a very, very good championship,” said Giuseppe Luongo , president of Youthstream Group, who organise the world championships.
“Because you know when you have a bad start it will be difficult to come to the front. And this is important because I don’t think we have ever reached this level of riders in MX GP. If you go back 10 years and if you looked at a name in the 10th position, you wouldn’t know the name. But now if you look at the 25th position, it will be a very well-known rider. And I would like to thank the riders for doing a great job. I am sure from tomorrow night they will show us a great championship’” he added.
Wolfgang Srb, FIM Europe president, praises QMMF president, Nasser al-Attiyah, for his efforts in the development of motorsport in Gulf region
The FIM Europe president, Wolfgang Srb, was all praise for QMMF president, Nasser al-Attiyah for his role in developing motorsport in this region.
“What you do here in Qatar and in the Gulf region for the development, for the culture of motorsport is incredible. And we simply cannot thank you enough for it,” Wolfgang said yesterday.
“Coming here and seeing this venue is outstanding. If we remember, after the first year we said maybe we could have made it little more better. But you have made it 2-3 times safer. This is how you work. We have full trust in you and now in your new position as the FIM deputy president. You turn big wheels here and a big thanks for that,” he added.
