DOHA: The artificial lighting on the Losail track in Qatar will set the stage for the final race of the 2015 eni FIM Superbike World Championship season.
On a particularly fascinating track, due to its location and the night racing aspect, Leon Haslam and Jordi Torres have their sights set on a good result to finish out a season that has been full of excitement with dignity.
Magny-Cours was not particularly generous with Leon Haslam, forced to ride two difficult races after dominating in Superpole.
The variable weather in France should not be a problem in Qatar, whereas the RSV4 has demonstrated (after a double win in 2014) that it adapts well to the layout of the Losail International Circuit. Precisely for this reason the Aprilia Racing Team – Red Devils rider is aiming for the top spot.
Leon Haslam said: “In France things didn’t go as we had hoped, so I really want to get back onto the track and give it 100 percent to finish out the season well. The standings are what they are so I’ve got nothing to lose. I’ll battle lap after lap, aiming for the best possible result. Racing at night at Doha makes everything that much more exciting. I can’t wait for this weekend to begin.”
Jordi Torres is returning to a track that he had already tackled during his time in Moto2, a situation which facilitates his job as a “rookie” in World Superbike.
The Spaniard has shown constant improvement throughout the second half of the season, finishing on the podium, bringing home important results and confirming his status as best rookie of the year race after race.
His aspiration is therefore, and rightfully so, to finish out his rookie season astride the RSV4 RF well. Torres said: “The Losail Circuit is fantastic and quite complete, with various turn configurations. My Aprilia will definitely adapt well so it will be up to us to find the best setting. Racing at night is always exciting, especially on a wide and safe track like this one. Since this is the last race of the season we’ll be working our hardest, giving 100 percent from the very first practice session. The goal is to show how competitive both my bike and I are.”
Meanwhile, the Aruba.it Racing - Ducati Superbike Team has arrived in Qatar for the closing round of the 2015 Superbike World Championship, confident that its riders Chaz Davies and Xavi Forés (substituting for Davide Giugliano) will be able to finish the season on a high.
Last year’s Qatar round took place according to a night-time track schedule, World Superbikes first experience of floodlit racing.
Davies did not have a bad weekend but struggled with some tyre wear issues come race day, scoring a best of fifth in the evening’s second race.
Fores was not present at that round but already has some experience of racing at the illuminated Losail track, having done so in Moto2 in 2011.
On the back of his recent run of results, Chaz will be doing all he can to increase his points total as far as possible, so as to consolidate overall second place in the rider’s championship.
As he enters this final championship round, the Welshman holds a 16-point lead over third-placed Sykes. Davies also looks forward to celebrating his 100th Superbike race start this coming weekend.
Xavi has already raced with the Aruba Ducati team this season, at both Aragon and Assen, achieving a best of 5th at the Spanish round. He will be aiming to better that result this coming weekend at a track he knows and enjoys.
Davies said: “I quite enjoyed the night format last year once I got used to it. We had two good races and considering how much we were down on speed last season I was happy with the results. We knew our biggest problem was the straight rather than the corners but this year, having made a big step forward with regard to the engine and with a chassis that I’m now really confident with, I’m really looking forward to the weekend. I’m excited to get started and will work hard to close the season with two really strong races.”
Fores said: “I have raced at Losail at night before now and it was a good experience so I’m looking forward to the weekend and hope to be able to improve on the previous results of Aragon and Assen.” He added: “I’m very interested to see how the factory Panigale R has been developed in recent months, and will do my best to adapt to the bike and the track as quickly as possible. I want to do my very best this weekend, to repay the team for giving me this opportunity.”
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