MX1 podium winners pose for a picture at the new Losail Motocross Track yesterday. Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) President Nasser bin Khalifa Al Attiyah (right) is also seen.
DOHA: Leading from start to finish, American rider Dennis Stapleton yesterday won the first race of Losail MX championship at the new Losail Motocross Track.
Stapleton emerged as the fastest rider among a group of 33 who took part in the afternoon session.
Exhibiting great control on the trying surface, Stapleton stayed in front throughout the session held as support race for today’s first round one of the MX1 Motocross World Championship.
Stapleton crossed the finish line 1.30.366 ahead of second fastest rider Leroy Botha from South Africa.
“Once again I was not very good in the first lap, as it was a bit muddy at the start, but I felt very comfortable. I am happy that I am leading the championship,” Stapleton said after the race.
Kuwaiti rider Mishary Aboushaibah finished in third position to grab a podium spot. All three riders are competing in the MX1 category.
In the MX2 category, Kuwaiti rider Abdullah Al Shatti finished first in his category.
Hassan Ahmed from Bahrain and Barak Al Jasmi ended in second and third positions respectively.
The trophies were given by Nasser bin Khalifa Al Attiyah, President of the Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF), and Sultan Al Morraikhi, QMMF Board Member.
“The track seems to have settled down a lot better from two weeks ago when we staged the first round and I was very happy about that,” Al Attiyah said.
“We are very happy with the second round of this championship. This time we saw more riders from the region. I believe riders from 12 countries took part in this race,” Al Attiyah said.
“I hope to see and increase in the number of riders in the coming events as we have professional riders with us who will bring more participants and teams when they come for our races.
“I hope all the spectators enjoyed the race and that they will stay with us this weekend,” Al Attiyah added.
Youthstream President Giuseppe Luongo said: “This has been a great start. We think this is a great track for some tough riding. That’s what the riders have told me. They feel that for a first event, Qatar has done an amazing job. We are thrilled to be here.”
Luongo added: “We have the world’s best riders here and their opinion is this is one of the finest tracks. QMMF has done a lot of work in a short period of time.”
Today’s race two of the Losail MX Championship will start at 2:50pm. THE PENINSULA
