British rider Bradley Smith (left) and Qatar Motor and Motorcycling Federation (QMMF) President Nasser Khalifa Al Attiyah pose for a picture at Losail International Circuit yesterday. RIGHT: Australian rider Anthony West in action at Losail. West will begin his race from pole position today.
DOHA: Australian rider Anthony West grabbed pole position after dominating the practice sessions in the second round of Qatar International Road Racing Championship (QIRRCH) yesterday.
The QMMF Team rider will start today from pole spot after edging off compatriot Alex Cudlin and Nina Prinz, who will start today’s race in second and third places.
Qatari rider Nasser Al Malki finished with the fourth best time and was satisfied. He said: “Today (yesterday) was good for me because I had less problems with the bike but the weather was the big problem. I felt too late and I missed a lot of time in the corner cause of the wind. I think I can push more for tomorrow (today) and try to find a different set up to improve the time.”
During the free practice session, QMMF Moto2 rider West, who recorded the fastest lap time of 2:04 565, was happy with the result. He said: “After the free practice my lap time is quite okay although the track conditions that are a bit tricky because of the wind. It is my first time with this Suzuki bike since long time, I feel a bit strange but I am having fun and happy to race here again.”
The Australian was even more happy when he followed it up with the pole position. He said although the weather conditions were not good, he was happy to get pole position.
In the first practice session, the other Aussie rider on the grid and defending champion Cudlin did the second best time, 2.06.194. Cudlin admits the suspension needs to be changed due to the strong winds.
He said: “The free practice was fine, the bike is ok but I need to change somethings in suspension because of the wind that is making the bike different.”
German rider Nina Prinz clocked the third best time, 2.06.796, although she had problems with the gear shifter and also with the rear suspension
Also yesterday, 22-year-old British rider Bradley Smith participated in the Championship. Smith will make his MotoGP debut this year with the Monster Tech 3 Yamaha team when the season commences at Losail International Circuit.
In the free practice, Smith was impressive making the fourth best lap time, 2.06.957.
The Briton was delighed with his performance at Losail so far.
He said: “It is great to be here. Very tricky conditions this morning specially with the wind and the sand but as the free practice went on the feeling with the bike was better. I am looking forward to improve my position but I enjoy the track specially with my new bike,” Bradley stated at the end of free practice.
Together with the QIRRCH, there were the Losail Asia Road Racing Series riders.
A total of eight riders with Yamaha R1 registered for the first round of LARRS.
The fastest rider in his category was the Indian rider Rajini Krishnan, with a time of 2.12.915.
He later took pole position in the qualifiying round.
His compatriot Deepak Ravikuman of LARRS was in second place, who also achieved the same result in the qualifying session.
Yesterday, was also the first round of Qatar National Road Racing Champiosnhip (QNRRCH). In the qualifying practice the fastest car was the Qatari driver Abdulaziz Abdulla with a Porsche Carrera with a lap time of 2.29.177. The second fastest driver was Talal Wehbe with a Lotus Exige and a time of 2.31.172.
THE PENINSULA
