Three young Qatari riders –Yousef al-Darwish, Saad al-Harqan and Hamad al-Sohoti – will take part in the Asia Talent Cup at the Losail International Circuit on March 28. The Asia Talent Cup is a support race for the MotoGP championship, which will begin with a season-opening Barwa Grand Prix of Qatar next weekend.
on Friday, al-Darwish, al-Harqan and al-Sohoti took part in a pre-season testing at the Losail International Circuit. The talented Qatari riders will get some track time under their belts today and tomorrow as well.
Following the cancellation of last year’s edition of the Asia Talent Cup, the 2020 riders were automatically given the chance to continue in the championship and most accepted. That means there are only five rookies joining the grid, replacing those who have graduated or elected not to return, but all will be eager to take it to the veterans from the outset as testing begins and they race to get up to speed.
As ever, the test will give us a first glimpse of what awaits in another stellar season of racing, but this year it could even be more pivotal than ever. Given the delay since the veterans were last out on their Asia Talent Cup machines and the impressive CVs of the rookies, the timesheets will make for interesting reading to see how the pack has shuffled – and how the new riders on the block slot into the pecking order. In addition, the return of Danial Sharil will be one to watch as he comes back to the fold after a long recovery from injury, looking to slot back into the frontrunners where he left off.
In 2021 there’s also something else to bear in mind: the test venue is also the venue for the first two rounds. That means it could play an even more vital role in deciding who leaves Qatar with the advantage, as riders can also use the track time to really dial in for the race weekends. Will it be the likes of 2020 winners and podium finishers Kanta Hamada and Taiyo Furusato on top? Or can the rest spring a surprise as we get back on track?
on Friday, al-Darwish, al-Harqan and al-Sohoti took part in a pre-season testing at the Losail International Circuit. The talented Qatari riders will get some track time under their belts today and tomorrow as well.
Following the cancellation of last year’s edition of the Asia Talent Cup, the 2020 riders were automatically given the chance to continue in the championship and most accepted. That means there are only five rookies joining the grid, replacing those who have graduated or elected not to return, but all will be eager to take it to the veterans from the outset as testing begins and they race to get up to speed.
As ever, the test will give us a first glimpse of what awaits in another stellar season of racing, but this year it could even be more pivotal than ever. Given the delay since the veterans were last out on their Asia Talent Cup machines and the impressive CVs of the rookies, the timesheets will make for interesting reading to see how the pack has shuffled – and how the new riders on the block slot into the pecking order. In addition, the return of Danial Sharil will be one to watch as he comes back to the fold after a long recovery from injury, looking to slot back into the frontrunners where he left off.
In 2021 there’s also something else to bear in mind: the test venue is also the venue for the first two rounds. That means it could play an even more vital role in deciding who leaves Qatar with the advantage, as riders can also use the track time to really dial in for the race weekends. Will it be the likes of 2020 winners and podium finishers Kanta Hamada and Taiyo Furusato on top? Or can the rest spring a surprise as we get back on track?