Qatar Motor and Motorcyling Federation president Nasser Khalifa al-Attiya attends the jury meeting at the Losail International Circuit yesterday.

Sports Reporter/Doha

Qatar International Road Racing Championship new season has started today at Losail International Circuit with 23 riders taking part in the first round.

In the free practice, the defendant champion, Alex Cudlin with a Suzuki GSXR bike was the fastest rider with a time of 2.04.219. The german rider Nina Prinz had some problems with the gearing and she could only complete two laps but this was enough to get the second best time, 2.05.110.  Nasser al-Malki was in third position with a time of 2.06.109 riding a BMW S1000RR. Mishal al Naimi was fourth in the free practice with a time of 2.06.484.

The first pole of the season was for Alex Cudlin. The Australian rider made a time of 2.03.124 in the qualifying practice and very close, Nina Prinz, with a time of 2.03.930 will have the second place tomorrow in the grid.

In the third position of the grid, there will be the Qatari rider Nasser al-Malki, with a time of 2.05.445. Saeed al Sulaiti will be in the fourth position with a time of 2.06.848.

“I am surprised how good the bike is since I didn’t use it since September. Though I would get a slower lap timing but I am really happy to get the pole for tomorrow races” Alex Cudlin said at the end of the qualifying practice.

“I was a little nervous at the start of the free practice. I had some problems with the gearing in the free practice and I could only make two laps. In the qualifying practice the bike was very good.  Moreover I am more fit now as I made a strong training to be more fit for this season and this is very good in my mind to give me more confidence” Nina said at the end of the day.

Nasser al Malki said that he is very happy with the results as his bike is not 100% ready but with the help of his mechanics he hopes to get a good result tomorrow.

As in all the events, there was the Jury meeting of the day.

Today, the first race will be at 11:20 and the second race is scheduled at 14:20.

 

 

 

BELOW: Alex Cudlin in  action during the qualifying practice session at the Losail International Circuit yesterday.

 

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