By Sports Reporter/Doha
The last round of the Qatar Superbike Championship will take place over the weekend at the Losail International Circuit with a tough battle expected between Alex Cudlin and Mashel al-Naimi.
The Aussie QMMF rider Cudlin has an advantage of 21 points ahead of the Qatari, but with 50 points left, anything can happen.
Cudlin has been on the podium in all rounds except the third where he lost a lot of points due to mechanical problems, but hopes to end the season on a winning note.
“I’m really looking forward to this weekend’s two races. I feel really motivated and ready. We have been clawing back points all season on Mashel and the enter the final round ahead on points,” Cudlin said.
“I’ve said at the start that I want to win my 5th straight championship, so I hope that comes true. I will of course try and win both races this weekend, but the most important is to try and win the championship,” he added.
Al-Naimi has been leading the championship since the fifth round, but in in the previous round had problems with his Honda bike and didn’t start in the second race.
“I am very excited for this weekend and ready for a nice battle with Alex. I know it will be difficult to win the championship but I will try my best to win both races and wait to see what Alex can do, but for sure it will be an exciting weekend,” said al-Naimi.
Anthony West is third in the standings with 150 points but as he will not take part this weekend, the fight for the third place will be between Nasser al-Malki, Saeed al-Sulaiti and Nina Prinz.
The Supersport category title will be also decided this weekend with Qatari rider Jassim al-Thani in the lead with 207 points. He is followed by Mahmoud Tannir from Lebanon with 190.
Tomorrow, the track activity will start at 17:00 with the free practice 1, followed by free practice 2 at 19:15. The Qualifying session is scheduled at 21:15 and the Superpole will be at 22:15.
The first race on Saturday will start at 19:35 and the second at 22:20.
STANDINGS AFTER ROUND 6
Superbike Category
1. Alex Cudlin (AUS) Kawasaki 219 pts
2. Mashel al-Naimi (QAT) Honda 198 pts
3. Anthony West (AUS) Kawasaki 150 pts
4. Nasser al-Malki (QAT) BMW 145 pts
5. Saeed al-Sulaiti (QAT) Kawasaki 143 pts
6. Nina Prinz (GER) Kawasaki 141 pts
7. Rajini Krishnan (IND) Kawasaki 109 pts
8. Yousef al-Malki (QAT) BMW 83 pts
9. Ahmed al-Muyini (KSA) BMW 65 pts
SUPERSPORT CATEGORY
1. Jassim al-Thani (QAT) Triumph 207 pts
2. Mahmoud Tannir (LIB) Honda 190 pts
3. Abdul Aziz Binladin (KSA) BMW 150 pts
4. Nasser al-Khadra (KUW) Yamaha 144 pts
5. Fahid al-Sowaidi (QAT) Honda 130 pts.
Alex Cudlin
