Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) rider Nasser Al Malki in action during the qualifying round at the 2013 Spanish Championship at Navarra Circuit, Navarra, Spain. RIGHT: QMMF rider Saeed Al Sulaiti is pushed by a team-member from the pit garage prior to qualifying.
Navarra, Spain: Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) team is already at the Navarra Circuit and it is going to be a good test especially for the riders.
It’s the first time that Saeed Al Sulaiti has come to the circuit, while Nasser Al Malki, who had electric problems make which prevent him to make many laps will be competing for the second time.
The two QMMF riders will be taking part in two races which will prove to be important test for their physical strength because Moto2 is the hardest category in the Spanish Championship.
Al Malki, who finished 19th in qualifying, said: “Yesterday was a very bad test for me, we had a lot of problems with electronics. Today we fixed the problem but I cannot be as fast as I could be because to be fast is necessary to practice a lot and I have not been here since last year. It’s been very difficult because my bike is not a good bike for tight corners and bumps. In the qualifying I tried to push more, I improved my lap time by more than half of a second but this is not enough.”
He added: “I achieved a good result in Albacete but this track is almost the opposite, as I said there are many bumps in here. We have tomorrow two races so I hope to get a good result and not have any crashes. As always, thanks to all my team and also to the QMMF because without them it wasn’t possible being here.”
Al Sulaiti who is in 28th position, said: “Yesterday was my first time in this track, I tried to do as much laps as I can trying to understand the track and fine the lines. Today I tried to push a little bit more on the first qualifying session and I dropped some seconds but it’s not easy. I am comparing my time with people that has been here last year and I think I am fast to be my first time.”
He added: “During the free practice we’ve made some changes on the rear suspension and we improved the lap time, this track has lot of bumps and we are fixing some problems. Everytime that I am on the track I do my best and I push more. Give thanks to all the team, the QMMF and Anthony West. All their support is very appreciate.”
QMMF and Moto2 rider Anthony West was present in Navarra and admitted the two races will be tough for both Al Malki and Al Sulaiti.
West said: “It’s my first time at this track so for me is difficult to evaluate these guys. It is the first time also for Saeed and Nasser also didn’t have a good experience here last year but both of them are riding well. Nasser seems to do very well at the entry of the corners, only he had some problems at the exit of some corners compared to the top five. But as soon as he is ready for the race, he will fight for the top ten.”
The Australian rider added: “The guys are taken some mistakes in this track because of the bumps but as long they keep it clean for the race they will find a good pace. It’s going to be hard tomorrow because there are two races. It’s going to be a real test for their fitness.”
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