DOHA: Britain’s Ryan Blair yesterday won race one of the fifth and final round of the National MX Championship, edging American Dennis Stapleton to the top spot on the dirt track inside Losail International Circuit.
Blair - who reached his top speed of 46.11km/h on lap two on his Kawasaki - finished with the best time of 23 minutes 08.813 seconds.
Stapleton, riding a KTM bike, was 5.160 seconds slower than Blair in the 20-lap race.
In third place was South Africa’s Sean Gugain who was riding a Kawasaki bike. Gugain finished with a time of 23:16.343, some 7.530 seconds slower than Blair.
Starting along side 32 riders, Blair struggled for pace in the first two laps but kicked off thereafter to remain in the lead until the end.
“It was a very tough and complicated race, more difficult than the previous round,” Blair said.
“I want to thank all my friends in Bahrain who always support me and are behind me one hundred percent,” he added.
“Regarding the race, I would say I really had a bad start, covered in mud so I tried to make quick passes. I don’t stay in the mud so much so I tried to keep steady and finish the race.
“Overall it was a good result and I am pleased with the win,” an exhausted Blair said after the race.
Stapleton said race leader Blair made it impossible to catch the Briton.
“I made a good start but after the second lap I came second and it was impossible for me to catch Ryan,” Stapleton.
“This time, the track was very muddy, maybe it was over-watered for the MXGP but we will see tomorrow how it goes,” Stapleton added.
Earlier in the MX2 free practice, Kuwaiti rider Mohammed Jaffar emerged as the winner and finished fourth in the overall standings.
“First of all I want to say that it is a great feeling to see all the best motocross riders of the world here and watching our race,” Jaffar said.
“I consider it a big appreciation for the sport, fans and for the lower level riders who are champions in the Middle East,” he added.
“The track was really difficult today, full of mud which is something we are not used to but I am very happy with the result as I came first in my class.
“I am looking forward to winning again tomorrow,” Jaffar added.
Jaffar’s compatriot Abdullah Al Shatti finished second in the MX2 while Saeed Al Shenqiti of the UAE was third.
Both three riders were riding KTM bikes. The second race of the Losail MX Championship will be held today. Before the start of the race, there was a group photo with all MXGP, MX2 and WMX riders in the podium with QMMF President Nasser bin Khalifa Al Attiyah, Youthstream chief Giuseppe Luongo, and Dr Wolfgang Srb.
The Peninsula
