Qatar Superstock 600 defending champion Saeed al-Sulaiti began his preparations to defend his title after the Qatari rider successfully topped the two-day official trials at the Losail International Circuit.
During the trials, which saw participation of 22 riders, al-Sulaiti posted the fastest time of 2:05.458, ahead of compatriot Meshaal al-Nuaimi, the runner up of last year’s championship, who finished second with a time of 2:06.021.
Abdullah al-Qubaisi was third fastest in a time of 2:07.416.
Nasser al-Malki and Hungarian Balint Kovacs completed the top five, while Fahad al-Suwaidi, Ali al-Shammari, Issa al-Mutawa, Saud al-Thani and Mohamed al-Zaidan made up the top ten.
The Championship will be composed of six events, each of which will comprise two races. All the points obtained from each race will count towards the QSTK 600 Championship.
Al-Sulaiti was palpably happy at the good start he made to his campaign, adding that he was ready to defend his title in the new season.
The official competitions went well despite the strong winds, he said, adding that he had a minor accident that delayed him for a while, but then returned and scored the fastest lap.
Al-Nuaimi said the wind had affected his performance during the official tests but expected the competition this weekend to be different.
For his part, Qatar Motor and Motorcycling Federation (QMMF) president Abdulrahman al-Mannai expressed hope for a strong and exciting competition in the new season.
In a press statement, he said, that the last season witnessed a fierce competition between riders al-Sulaiti and al-Nuaimi until the final race, while most of the other riders showed great results, making the new season stronger and more exciting.
He said he was proud of the great success of the last edition, which led to an increase in the number of participants in the new edition that attracted new drivers both from inside and outside Qatar.
Vice chairman and secretary-general of Losail Circuit Sports Club (LCSC), Khalid al-Remaihi, said he was delighted to see the increasing number of participants in the new Qatar Superstock Championship, and this confirms that the club is on track to implement its strategy in developing motorcycles.
Al-Remaihi invited all the enthusiasts and fans of motorcycle sport to come to Losail International Circuit.
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