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www.thepeninsulaqatar.com PAGE | 21 PAGE | 22 Five-wicket Ali Real hope misfiringfiring trtroubleso Bangladesh Ronaldo to on first day catch fire SATURDAY 29 OCTOBER 2016 • 28 MOHARRAM 1438 thepeninsulaqatar @peninsulaqatar @peninsula_qatar IAAF Chief says Qatar could move Olympics date Agencies prove flexible if it wanted new coun- social, cultural, they are political,” he year, in September and October,ctober, as were tries to host the showcase event. said. the Seoul Olympics in 1988.988. Asked if the Summer Olympics Qatar will host the World Cup in Qatar will host the 2019019 World Ath- could be moved if Qatar hosted, Coe 2022 when, for the first time, games will letics Championships. AFP: IAAF President Sebastian Coe said: “Yeah, we have to be realistic be played in November and December. These will be held inn latelate Septem-Septem- yesterday said that Qatar could move about this.” Doha has publicly stated that it will ber and early October. the Summer Olympics to later in the “We have to recognise that the bid for future Olympics, with 2028 The 2017 edition of thehe champion- calendar year if the Gulf country ever world wants sport and it’s not always being a likely contender. ships will be held in Londonndon during successfully bids to host the Games. going to be bidding from areas where Coe added that it was “not unusual” August. Speaking in Doha, where he met there aren’t going to be challenges.” to move the date of the Olympics. The 2015 world championshipmpionship IAAF President heads of the Asian Athletics Associ- “And those challenges are not just He pointed out that the Sydney were hosted by Beijing, agagainain in Sebastian Coe ation (AAA), Coe said athletics had to geographical or climatic, they are games in 2000 were held later in the August. SBK title fight comes down to a desert duel The Peninsula impossible to know exactly how strong a rider can be. For Rea, it took until 2015 and his move to Kawasaki before he LOSAIL: The final round of the could really prove, definitively, 2016 MOTUL FIM Superbike World just how good he is. Since moving QMMF President Championship will see Jonathan to Team Green he has amassed 23 Abdulrahman Al Mannai Rea and Tom Sykes go head to head race wins and 44 podiums from 50 for the Championship at the Losail races. It has been an incredible run International Circuit. of form for Rea and he stands on the Winning the title is the main verge of greatness with another title goal for both of them, but it’s Roa success. who holds all the cards. He holds Englishman Sykes has quietly a near unassailable 48 point lead been able to put together another in the title standings, so for Sykes solid campaign but has been playing to have any chance of winning a catch-up throughout the year after Qatar Superstock Championship second title, he needs to win both a poor start to the season at Phillip races in Qatar and hope for the Island. Since then it seems he has best. Rea needs just two points in been fighting with his back to the either race to successfully defend wall, because against Rea, you need his championship. to come out swinging and put the set for December kick-off It’s almost impossible to fore- Champion on the defensive. Sykes see anything but Rea joining the hasn’t been able to do that this year ranks of consecutive WorldSBK and that’s why he goes to the last title winners. To put Rea’s feat into round of the Championship as a title “It is very exciting for us as we opportunity for riders from Turkey “If somebody likes to pay so perspective, only Fred Merkel, long shot. announce this new bike champion- and elsewhere to be here and learn for my riding I would continue for Doug Polen and Carl Fogarty have Of course Sykes could still pre- Thirty spots up ship,” QMMF President Abdulrahman the right way. The competition level as long as possible,” he said with a retained titles in the class consecu- vail and win his second title. With for grabs as QMMF Al Mannai said yesterday. is same for everybody. We would love huge smile. tively. If the Northern Irishman can two titles his legacy would change introduces new “We want to open our circuit to have a good series.” QMMF President praised Al Sual- join these ranks he will cement his greatly. Having finished in the top doors to new riders. We are trying Al Remaihi said: “Anyone can iti for ‘doing well’ on the international legacy in WorldSBK history. three in the standings for five con- six-round bike series to keep the costs down for young register with us for the new series stage. Despite having long been seen secutive seasons, and winning the riders.” but we will assess the skills of the “I would like to applaud the per- as arguably the most talented rider crown in 2013, his speed and talent “We want to assess the skills of rider. Once we feel the rider deserves formances of Saeed. He started late on the grid, Rea’s legacy has been is beyond doubt. young Qatari riders. This is a fantas- to be part of the new championship, but he has accomplished so much in forged over the last two years at The intensity that has been Rea’s By Rizwan Rehmat tic platform for wannabe riders,” Al we will then enroll their name. We such a short period of time. Credit to Kawasaki. hallmark - open the door against The Peninsula Mannai said. will have a total of 30 spots on the the young man for showing passion Racing for Honda, Rea won an him at your peril - has been in “I take this opportunity to thank racing list.” and dedication to improve as a rider,” admirable 15 races over six seasons stark contrast to Sykes’ more meas- the Losail Circuit Sports Club (LCSC) Each round will consist of two Al Mannai said. but it was his untapped potential ured approach. When faced with a for helping us. The championship races, QMMF confirmed. Turkish rider Kenan Sofuoglu as a title winner that excited many wheel-to-wheel battle, it has been DOHA: The Qatar Motor and Motor- will be launched on December 13,” Qatar’s top rider Saeed Al Sulaiti said: ”I have to say congratulations in the paddock. Far from being a Sykes that has backed down and Rea cycle Federation (QMMF) will launch he said. said he is looking forward to being to Qatar on this initiative. Superstock known commodity at the start of that has been victorious. If the York- a new six-round bike series in “The main goal is to give the part of the new series. is the class where many riders want 2015, Rea was seen as a potential shireman is to win the title again he December, its President announced local and regional riders the chance “I am living the dream (of rac- to be part of something tough and superstar - but ‘potential’ is the most needs to turn this tide and take the yesterday. to come in and get a taste of riding ing at top events). Everybody who exciting.” used word in racing. fight to his teammate. The new series - the Qatar Super- at a world-class circuit like Losail,” knows me knows what I mean,” Al “I started six years ago. I know It’s somewhat of a catch phrase Barring a crazy turn of events, stock Championship - has been he said. Sulaiti said. what this means. It is good for riders used to talk about riders. The high- the 2016 title is probably already planned to give young riders the Khalid Al Remaihi, Vice Chair- “It’s a dream of every rider to be to learn from this stage. This a good lights are enough to prove the rider lost for Sykes. But, if he is to win the chance to get a feel of Losail Inter- man and Secretary General of here. I am very excited to see this way to find new talent. I hope we see deserves to be on the grid and on 2017 title, he needs to start attack- national Circuit and ride with aims of LCSC, said: “This is a perfect plat- series take shape. I would like to con- this very often what we are about to a good bike but until they are in ing Rea - and there’s no better time improving their skills at the top level. form to nurture local talent. It is an tinue riding,” he added. see in Qatar,” Sofuoglu added. the position to win consistently, it’s than now. Rea lights the way in practice at Losail Circuit The Peninsula means business as he charges towards with Xavi Fores (Barni Racing Team) He was not hurt and quickly his crowning in the Middle East. coming in close behind in seventh. picked up the bike to rejoin, finally A spectacular lap by the North- Davide Giugliano (Aruba.it Racing putting in the tenth quickest time. ern Irishman in the final two minutes -Ducati) ended the session in eighth, Championship contender Tom Sykes DOHA: WorldSBK riders hit the of the session saw him charge to the showing his shoulder issues are back (Kawasaki Racing Team) showed he floodlit Losail International Circuit top of the timesheets ahead of Chaz under control. Jordi Torres was the will need to put a lot of work in to yesterday evening for the first prac- Davies (Aruba.it Racing –Ducati) in first Althea BMW Racing Team rider catch his teammate this weekend, tice session of the final weekend of second, while Michael van der Mark home in ninth, while his teammate after finishing outside of the top 10 the 2016 season.