Australia’s Alex Cudlin in action yesterday during official qualifying for round one of the Qatar International Road Racing Championship (QIRRC) at Losail International Circuit. Cudlin won the pole position. The season’s first round of the seven-leg series will be held today. Each round consists of two races. PICTURES: FEISAL AHMED
DOHA: Australia’s Alex Cudlin hit the ground running yesterday, securing the season’s first pole of the Qatar International Road Racing Championship (QIRRC) at Losail Circuit.
Cudlin, the defending champion, edged German rider Nina Prinz to the top spot with the fastest time of 2.03.124 in the official qualifying for the season’s first round today.
Cudlin, who has represented Qatar Endurance Racing Team (QERT) in the past, wasted little time in hitting his straps, edging Prinz and other local riders in posting the fastest lap time.
Prinz, the only female rider taking part in round one of QIRRC, clocked 2.03.930.
On the grid for the races today will be Qatar rider Nasser Malki who clocked a time of 2.05.445.
Al Malki was given a hot chase by compatriot Saeed Al Sulaiti who was fourth fastest with a time of 2.06.848.
“I am surprised how good the bike is since I didn’t use it since September,” Cudlin said after securing the pole position.
“I thought I would get a slower lap timing but I am really happy to get the pole for the races here,” Cudlin added at the end of the qualifying practice.
Prinz said she was edgy at the start of the free practice session.
“I was a little nervous at the start of the free practice. I had some problems with the gears in the free practice and I could only make two laps,” Prinz said.
“In the qualifying practice, the bike was very good. Moreover I am fitter now as I have trained well for the new season,” the German said.
“I am confident that I will do well in the new season,” she added.
Qatar’s Al Malki said: “I am very happy with the result today. My bike is not 100 percent ready but with the help of my mechanics, I hope to get a good result (today).”
Al Sulaiti, who was the fourth fastest rider in qualifying, said: “Yes, I enjoyed myself a lot. A new bike and a new team of mechanics make things a lot more fun!”
The Qatari rider added: “There are things that can be improved still but that will come with time. Fourth (spot) is an amazing start for this season and I hope I continue to progress.”
He added: “I would like to thank Lekhwiya and QMMF for supporting me.”
Earlier in the first free practice session, on top of a Suzuki GSXR bike, Cudlin was the fastest rider with a time of 2.04.219.
Prinz, struggling with gear problems, could only complete two laps but that was enough to get her second best time of 2.05.110.
Qatar’s Al Malki was third fastest with a time of 2.06.109 riding a BMW S1000RR. Mishal Al Naimi, also of Qatar, was fourth in the free practice with a time of 2.06.484.
Also yesterday, the organisers Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) held its jury meeting headed by Nasser bin Khalifa Al Attiyah, president of QMMF, at Losail International Circuit.
Action today starts at 9:00am.THE PENINSULA
