Participants of the Qatar Superbike Championship pose for a group photo with Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) president Nasser Khalifa al-Attiyah before the start of the day's races, at the Losail International circuit yesterday.

 

By Sports Reporter/Doha

The opening season of the Qatar Superbike Championship took place yesterday at Losail International Circuit with the registration of 47 bikes. 

In the qualifying session, the fastest rider was Mishal al-Naimi, with a lap time of 2.03.773. Defending champion Alex Cudlin made the second best lap time, clocking 2.03.916.

In this season, the Superpole has been introduced for the starting grid order, so the best nine qualifier riders took part in the Superpole.

Again, al-Naimi was the best rider. He will start from first place in the grid. In second position in the grid will be Cudlin and al-Malki in third place.

In the LARRS, the best rider was Manca Katrasnik from Serbia.

In the Qatar Challenge, a total of nine cars will participate in the first round of the season.  Czech Republic driver, Pavel Nedobity, was the fastest in the qualifying session with his Lotus Exige and a lap time of 2.30.912.

In second place will be Qatari driver Abdullah al-Kharan on a Honda Civic.

Before the qualifying sessions of QSBK and QCH, there were two races of MRF Challenge.

In Race 1, the winner was Toby Sowery from Great Britain. Ryan Cullen, also from Great Britain, was second and the third place went to Kyle Mitchell from South Africa. 

In Race 2, the winner was Indian driver Tarun Reddy. Nikita Mazepin from Russia was second and Toby Sowery came third.