READY TO START IN QATAR

Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Clement Desalle and Jordie Tixier, Suzuki World MXGP’s Kevin Strijbos, Suzuki World MX2’s Jeremy Seewer, Hunter Lawrence and Bas Vaessen, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Antonio Cairoli and Jorge Prado Garcia, Wilvo Yamaha MXGP’s Arnaud Tonus and Shaun Simpson, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Max Anstie, and TM Factory Racing’s Samuele Bernardini were in attendance and were able to look around and interact with the horses inside the center.

After the media opportunity, the first press conference of the season took place in front of the national and international media, a handful of riders, as well as a multiple teams. Taking the stage, Youthstream President Mr. Giuseppe Luongo was joined by FIM/CMS Director Mr. Tony Skillington, FIM Europe President Mr. Wolfgang Srb, Losail Circuit Sports Club Vice President and General Manager Mr. Khalid Al Remaihiand QMMF President Mr. Abdulrahman Al Mannai, along with some of the biggest names for this year’s racing season: Team HRC’s Tim Gajser, Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Romain Febvre, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Antonio Cairoli and Jeffrey Herlings, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Max Nagl, Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Clement Desalle and Suzuki World MXGP’s Kevin Strijbos.

Mr. Giuseppe Luongo opened the welcome press conference: “I want to thank the Losail Circuit for welcoming us here once again and to the QMMF for the great organization of this race, everything is perfect, everything is clean, the track is prepared very well, and we are set to have another fantastic opening to the season.”

Mr. Tony Skillington continued: “I’m really excited for this season, I can feel the energy already and it’s very unpredictable, if I were a betting man I would not know where to place my money, I think that we will be in for a fantastic season…I just can’t wait to see it started.”

Mr. Wolfgang Srb stated: “It is a pleasure to be here in what is becoming a tradition now on our 5th year in a row starting the series in the gulf region at Qatar and this wonderful circuit for a night race…We hope to come here for many more years to start the MXGP series.”

Mr. Khalid Al Remaihi said: “We did some work on the track surface this year in order to improve it more and more and we’re hoping the riders will enjoy the change. It is always exciting to have the MXGP here, it is a fantastic show and we hope that more and more people come here to watch”

Mr. Abdulrahman Al Mannai stated: “Welcome everyone, we are very excited to have the opening round for the MXGP series. The MXGP is always exciting, it is always a show. We had Tim Gajser and Herlings win here last year and go on to win the championship, we hope this year’s winners will have the same luck.”

The riders rounded out the press conference telling about their winter and their expectations about the 2017 season with these statements:

“We had a really good winter, we had a new bike from Honda and we tested a lot. I’m looking to do my best here, just try to forget about the pressure and ride like I know how to and we will see come Saturday” – Team HRC’s Tim Gajser.

“We had a perfect run in the off season, riding was good, we really dialled in the bike and I was super comfortable for my rookie year. As you know I crashed 2 weeks ago and broke a bone in my hand which has been pretty devastating but tomorrow It will be my first test and hopefully I can be racing smoothly” – Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jeffrey Herlings.

“It’s a long season so I think the most important thing is to be consistent all season, every point counts, I want to minimize mistakes, and I would rather take 5th or 4th than crash. We will see what will happen tomorrow night” – Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing’s Romain Febvre.

“My off season went really well, we didn’t make many bike changes this year over last which I was quite happy about, I was able to train and spend time riding on the bike.” – Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Max Nagl.

“With the new bike I feel good, it feels a lot lighter and it handles even better than before. I had some decent preseason races and look forward to racing here. I think top 5 here would be good to start the season.” – Suzuki World MXGP’s Kevin Strijbos.

“I’m here to do my best of course, as myself and the others know it is a long season and we will need to be consistent at all the races but at the same time at every race I will go for the win.” – Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team’s Clement Desalle.

“The preseason races were really on point this year and I’m very grateful that I’m feeling back at almost my best of all time, I’m really looking forward to the races coming here in Qatar.“ – Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Antonio Cairoli.

To wrap up the day Youthstream presented a few important statistics such as the increased social media following and the reach of MXGP live television broadcasting.

It has been another busy day here in Qatar which has left everyone excited for another season of none stop motocross racing. Be sure to watch the qualifying races LIVE tomorrow night on www.mxgp-tv.com 

TIME TABLE (Local time)

Friday: MX2 Free Practice 15:15; MXGP Free Practice 15:45; MX2 Time Practice 17:15; MXGP Time Practice 18:00; MX2 Qualifying Race 20:00; MXGP Qualifying Race 20:50.

Saturday: MX2 Warm up 14:30; MXGP Warm up 15:00; MX2 Race 1 17:15; MXGP Race 1 18:15; MX2 Race 2 20:10; MXGP Race 2 21:10.