18 Thursday, March 7, 2019 Sports Dovizioso yet to show real pace as MotoGP gears up for opener Italian confident about fighting hard at Losail; Rossi on ‘the right road’; Vinales 100 percent in race mindset Raajiv Tripathi DOHA

Losail MotoGP defending champion will be more than keen to get going with the first race week- end of the 2019 season being just a day away. On Friday, the Free Practice 1 for all the three classes is scheduled between 1.50 pm and 4.25 pm before the riders return for the second one later in the night. The Ducati star, overall run- ner-up for two seasons in a row, had beaten Spanish Marc Mar- quez and Italian legend Valenti- no Rossi to win the lung-opener Italy’s (left) and Maverick Vinales of Spain during the MotoGP Testing at the Lusail International Circuit. under the floodlights last year. But during the two pre-season M1 in a very good way again. tests, he was fourth in Sepang, MotoGP factfile world champions “There’s still a lot of work and slipped to 15th in * This will be the 16th occasion that a Grand Prix event Márquez. Márquez was the first rider across the Valentino Rossi 9 ...... (7 MotoGP) to do, but I feel strong enough Qatar. has been held at the Losail circuit and the 12th under line in the MotoGP™ race last year in 2nd. Marc Márquez 7 ...... (5 MotoGP) to fight for the podium at this the floodlights. * The best result for Suzuki in Qatar in the MotoGP™ 5 ...... (3 MotoGP) However, as the popular * This will be the 13th successive year that Losail class is a 4th for John Hopkins back in 2007. Andrea 2 ...... (Moto2/250cc) circuit this weekend. Above saying is the race is a different International Circuit has hosted the opening Grand Prix Iannone was the only Suzuki rider across the line last Pol Espargaró 1 ...... (Moto2/250cc) all, I feel very excited to start a ball game than testing or Free of the year. year, finishing in 9th. Alex Rins crashed out of the race Tito Rabat 1 ...... (Moto2/250cc) new season with Yamaha. We Practices, Dovizioso is confi- * A total of 45 Grand Prix races for solo motorcycles on Lap 13. 1 ...... (Moto2/250cc) just need to keep working and have been held in Qatar since 2004 as follows: * Aleix Espargaro’s 6th in Qatar in 2017 equalled the Franco Morbidelli 1...... (Moto2/250cc) dent that he and his Desmo- Qatar MotoGP defending champion Andrea Dovizioso of Italy. MotoGP™ – 15, Moto2™ – 9, 250cc – 6, Moto3™ – 7 best ever result for in the MotoGP™ class, first Maverick Vinales 1 ...... (Moto3/125cc) focus on improving the bike as sedici would put up a fight. He and 125cc – 8. achieved by Colin Edwards at the opening race of 2003 Andrea Dovizioso 1 ...... (Moto3/125cc) much as possible to fight for the attributed the Qatar result to his owning a whopping 30 world after finishing fourth in 2016, * Qatar is the 7th different Asian country to host a at Suzuka. Espargaro also equalled this best result at 1 ...... (Moto3/125cc) podium and, of course, for the intention of working on the race titles between them, the 2019 he has been third twice in sub- Grand Prix event (all solo classes) along with Thailand, Aragon in both 2017 and 2018. victory. Turkey, Japan, Malaysia, China and Indonesia. * KTM made their full-time debut in the MotoGP™ class pace. Divizioso, who is going MotoGP grid looks quite strong. sequent years. * Losail International Circuit is the 11th different circuit in Qatar back in 2017. Pol Espargaro crossed the line He added, “I can‘t forget that to launch his seventh MotoGP Monster Energy Yamaha’s vet- “Finally, the first GP of the that has been used for Grand Prix racing in Asia. in 16th, which is the best result for the Austrian manu- ers for the podium. “I‘m so ex- I won my first GP with Yamaha season on Ducati out of his 12, eran Rossi leads the MotoGP season is about to start! The * The other circuits that have been used in Asia are: facturer at the track so far. cited to come to Qatar and start here, so I have very special Motegi (60 Grand Prix races), Sepang (59), Suzuka * The MotoGP™ race in Qatar has only been won four sounded positive. “We worked champions trio with seven ti- preseason tests were very im- (56), Shah Alam (21), Shanghai (12), (9), times by a rider who has not qualified on the front row: the new season. I can‘t wait! memories of this circuit and that positively and methodically tles. He is followed by five-time portant. Both in Sepang and in Fisco/Fuji (8), Sentul (6), Johor (3) and Buriram (3). Valentino Rossi (2006, 2015), Casey Stoner (2008) The conclusion of the winter gives me extra motivation.” during the winter break, and winner Marquez and three-time Qatar, we’ve taken steps for- * Jorge Lorenzo is the most successful rider at the Losail and Andrea Dovizioso (2018). tests was very positive. I felt I As the VisitQatar Grand I’m confident we’ll be ready to champion Jorge Lorenzo. ward and we can say that we’ve circuit with six wins (3 x MotoGP™, 2 x 250cc, 1 x * The nine Moto2™ races that have taken place in was going very fast on the three Prix is the only night race of 125cc). The next most successful rider is Casey Stoner Qatar have been won by nine different riders: Shoya put up a fight from the very first Rossi’s teammate and 2017 done positive tests. We still have with five wins in Qatar (4 x MotoGP™, 1 x 250cc). Tomizawa (2010), Stefan Bradl (2011), Marc Márquez days of testing here in Qatar, the year, the schedule of the round. Losail winner Maverick Viñales to improve a lot, but the road Valentino Rossi is third with four, all of which are in the (2012), Pol Espargaro (2013), Tito Rabat (2014), so I come to the first race with upcoming race weekend differs “The lap times from the go into the first race weekend we’re on is the right one,” com- MotoGP™ class. (2015), Tom Lüthi (2016), Franco a positive mindset. We have a slightly from the usual. tests, especially in Qatar, don’t determined to do well but with mented Rossi. * Since the introduction of Losail International Circuit to Morbidelli (2017) and Francesco Bagnaia (2018). Four good rhythm. The MotoGP FP1 session the calendar, Yamaha have had eight wins in MotoGP™ of them won their first Moto2™ race at this track: really show the whole pic- varying forms. While The Doc- “This Friday we’ll begin the with 3 different riders: Valentino Rossi (2005, 2006, Tomizawa, Folger, Morbidelli and Bagnaia. “The first round in Losail is will take place on Friday even- ture since most riders mostly tor says he is comfortable and first 2019 race weekend and 2010, 2015), Jorge Lorenzo (2012, 2013, 2016) and * The seven Moto3™ races that have taken place in going to be very important to ing from 15:40 - 16:25, local worked on race pace. As for us, his YZR-M1 is moving in the we’ll be able to understand Maverick Viñales (2017). Qatar have been won by seven different riders: see if all the work that was done track time (GMT+3) followed we collected plenty of interest- right direction, Vinales is al- many things better. We’ll have * Ducati have had four MotoGP™ wins in Qatar with two Maverick Viñales (2012), (2013), Jack during the winter has served us by FP2 from 20:00 - 20:45. different riders: Casey Stoner (2007, 2008, 2009) and Miller (2014), Alexis Masbou (2015), Niccolo ing data and we analyzed it into ready into the racing mindset time to improve the bike during Andrea Dovizioso (2018). Antonelli (2016), Joan Mir (2017), Jorge Martin well. Our bike has many strong On Saturday, FP3 and FP4 great detail to come up with the after strong winter testing. the free practice sessions and * Honda have won the MotoGP™ race in Qatar on three (2018). Only Salom and Martín have won from pole points at this moment. I felt will be held from 15:15 - 16:00 best possible strategy ahead of The LIC is one of the favour- we’ll do everything to get ready occasions, the last of which was in 2014 with Marc position at the track in the class. very good riding the bike dur- and 19:20 - 19:50, before the this round. What matters is that ites for Rossi. It fetched him 10 for the race. I feel good, I have ing all the winter, I pushed my qualifying sessions from 20:00 our feeling with the bike has podiums, including four wins trained well this winter, and I’m ha staff. We will do our best!,” the sixth place last year, is fully M1 to the limit. We have taken - 20:40. On Sunday, the warm- been very good up to this point.” and as many second places. His ready to start this new season the Italian added. motivated and determined to a step forward compared to last up is held from 15:40 - 16:00 With 11 world champions last win here was in 2015 and with my team and all the Yama- Vinales, who battled to get fight as one of the top contend- season, I think I’m riding my and the race starts at 20:00.

Manateq Qatar International Rally ChupaChups helmet set to debut on MotoGP tracks with Jorge Lorenzo tribune News Network Attiyah Doha

ChupaChups, distributed to lead in Qatar exclusively by Ali Bin Ali (ABA) Holding’s FMCG Division - Dohatna Innovative impressive Distribution, is all set to hit the racing tracks. The most loved lollipop in 29-car the world is bringing fun on two wheels as the 20-year- old partnership with Spanish entry Grand Prix motorcycle road racer Jorge Lorenzo has been renewed. The iconic logo, originally Competitors from 10 nations set to kick-start 2019 MERC series designed by Salvador Dali, returns to the tracks of the Tribune News Network podium finisher in Kuwait last entry for Italy’s Stefano Marrini, World Motorcycle Champion- Doha season, returns to rallying ac- an RC3 Renault for Jordanian ship - embellishing the helmet tion in Qatar at the wheel of a Asem Aref and three Lebanese of one of the greatest champi- Qatar’s Nasser Saleh al Atti- Ford Fiesta R5. entries for defending MERC 3 ons of all times. way to celebrate his successes, paChups, like motorbiking, pionship in the 500cc class. yah heads a superb 29-car entry Adel Abdulla was second champion Henry Kahy (Skoda), Jorge is the holder of showing his many fans how he is part of my childhood fun, a The helmet with the Chu- for the Manateq Qatar Interna- overall at the event last Novem- Elie Chachati (Subaru) and Ah- five world championship ti- enjoys the brand for which he memory that has been part of paChups logo became an tional Rally, round one of the ber and also runs a similar Ford mad Khaled (Mitsubishi). tles and recently joined the has been a true ambassador for many adventures and achieve- iconic element and part of the FIA Middle East Rally Champi- for the second time, while for- “We are delighted to be Honda team. many years. ments and that it’s still present brand’s history. onship from March 14-16. mer rally winner Abdulaziz al back in our customary slot at He will wear his new hel- “I could not resist the now.” Commenting about Do- The regional rally series has Kuwari returns to action with the start of the season and host- met with the ChupaChups logo temptation to show off my new Jorge’s fondness for the hatna’s association with Chu- struggled in recent seasons to a Skoda Fabia and regular Irish ing the opening round of the in the 2019 and 2020 World Shark helmet, showcasing the iconic lollipop brand has last- paChups, General Manager of attract new teams, but sterling co-driver Killian Duffy. FIA Middle East Rally Champi- Championships, starting with legendary ChupaChups daisy ed for over 20 years since, way Dohatna Innovative Distribu- effort and hard work by the There are also R5 Ford Fi- onship,” said QMMF President the upcoming Qatar Grand logo, right from the start of the back in 1999, his helmet was tion Mohammad Imran said, Qatar Motor and Motorcycle esta entries for the 1993 region- Abdulrahman al Mannai. Prix on March 10. pre-season tests,” said Jorge. ‘signed’ ChupaChups, accom- “ChupaChups is a highly popu- Federation (QMMF) has seen al champion Sheikh Hamed bin “Our goal is to continue the ChupaChups will also ac- “Motorcycling isn’t just sacri- panying him through the early lar brand in Qatar and its en- a resurgence in interest in rally- Eid al Thani and a returning resurgence of the regional rally company Jorge every time fice, passion and commitment, years of his career in both the dorsement by such an iconic ing in the region and the Qatar Khalifa al Attiyah. championship and to see it de- he climbs onto the podium it is also having fun and Chu- 125cc and 250cc class, when character will only add to its event has been rewarded with Competition is likely to be velop and flourish in the future. as the star racer will unwrap paChups is a fun brand. My he won the championship in popularity. ABA Holding and the largest entry seen for sev- intense in the MERC 2 cate- The series has struggled for and consume a ChupaChups passion for motorcycling dates 2006 and 2007, up until 2008 Dohatna are proud to be part- eral years. gory for Group N or NR4 cars. entries in recent seasons, but lollipop, a fun and irreverent back to childhood and Chu- when he raced his first cham- ners with the brand.” While Attiyah and his Kuwait’s Meshari al Thefiri we have worked hard to attract French navigator Matthieu returns to defend his regional teams and to make it possible Baumel start as clear favourites title, but will come under in- for them to come to Qatar. I am to give their Autotek Motorsport tense pressure from the likes delighted with the strength in Tennis take Volkswagen Polo GTI R5 a win- of Khalid al Suwaidi, Abdulla depth of the entry we have re- ning debut - just two weeks af- al Kuwari (third overall and ceived.” Andy Murray ‘pain-free’ but still unsure over future after hip surgery ter winning the Manateq Qatar MERC 2 winner in 2018), Ab- Any cars that fail to comply Cross-Country round of the FIA dullah al Rabban, Moham- with FIA regulations will run London: Andy Murray says he is no longer in pain but the former world number one is unsure whether he will be able to play top-level ten- World Cup - there is strength in med al Meer (fourth overall in a national event behind the nis again following a second hip operation. The 31-year-old underwent hip resurfacing surgery at the end of January in a final throw of the depth throughout the entry list in 2018) and a strong Omani main international rally. dice to try to overcome the problem that first became a serious issue in 2017. “I want to continue playing, I said that in Australia,” Murray that has been sent to the FIA for contingent, headed by Abdul- This year’s rally will be said at a sponsorship event at London’s Queen’s Club. “The issue is I don’t know whether it’s possible.” official approval. lah al Ruwahi, Saif al Harthy based at the Lusail Sports Are- “I’m a lot happier now than I was, certainly the last 12 months, because I have no pain in my hip now and I was in pain for a long time,” he Several other drivers will and Zakariah al Shanfari. na for a second year, but the added. “The rehab is slow but it’s been going pretty well. I just need to wait and see how things progress. If it’s possible, I’d certainly love be eager to challenge Attiyah Oman has no less than eight ceremonial start and opening to compete again.” Murray, who has won three Grand Slams, announced at an emotional press conference ahead of the Australian Open in their R5 cars. Nasser Khalifa cars on the entry list and the in- super special stage will take in January that he planned to retire after Wimbledon. No player has come back from the same operation to play singles but American Bob al Attiyah, runner-up in the ternational flavour in boosted place at Souq Al Wakra on Bryan recently returned in doubles and won an ATP Tour title in Delray Beach last month. (AFP) regional series in 1993 and a by a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX March 14.