BY RIZWAN REHMAT
DOHA: QMMF Racing Team is confident Spanish rider Julian Simon can click with Moto2 veteran Anthony West in the new season that starts with the first race under lights at Losail International Circuit tonight.
Simon has replaced compatriot Roman Ramos who rode along side West in the 2014 season.
In 2013, West partnered Indonesian rookie Rafid Topan Sucipto who hung around with edgy performances before being replaced by Ramos last year.
Simon, 27, topped the 125cc class in 2009 before finishing in runners-up spot in the inaugural Moto2 class in 2010.
“I am happy to have two big names - Anthony and Julian - they are well known,” Nasser bin Khalifa Al Attiyah, Director of QMMF Racing Team, said yesterday.
“They are experienced riders.They can have their opinions. They can make a difference in the new season,” Al Attiyah, the QMMF President, added.
“We are proud to launch our team because we can challenge. But we have tasks in front of us. We are in good shape. They have our philosophy in front of them but we are developing our team with their suggestions,” Al Attiyah said.
“Our team is ready, having experienced riders. They are motivated to win the races. Team manager Luis Solano and his team will give their maximum on the technical matters.
“From our side, we will invest more and more to see how we can develop the team for future. I have been working hard to build the team.
“It is not easy to introduce a team outside Europe and then compete against the best in Europe. It was my dream to see strong riders in my team.
“We are getting much appreciation from our fans worldwide. We can make good challenge and surprises with results. We love motor sport. We love a challenge. We are ready to go,” Al Attiyah said confidently.
West, who has won podiums for QMMF Racing Team besides giving them their first world championship points, echoed Al Attiyah’s sentiments.
“I am happy to be back with the team for another year. They give me a lot of support. I am trying to give them the best results,” West, 33, said.
“I am happy to have given them the first points in the world championship, their first podium. I am trying to make it even better for them this year,” he added.
“As a team, we are growing stronger after getting Simon. It has got stronger as compared to last few years. I think together we can push the bike further. We can try to be different,” West said.
“We’ve had three tests but it was difficult because of bad weather. We have made changes to the suspensions. We are not 100 percent as we are still looking for that set-up since we missed out in Spain. So far the bike feels good. We should be stronger than we were in the past,” he added.
“Moto2 now is a lot more difficult class I have ever raced in before. It is difficult to be confident to say I will win a race,” West said who quickly added that he knew the Losail track well.
“I have raced here before in the local championship for a couple of reasons: One for training and to know the track and second, just for riding purposes so that I keep my form,” West said.
“Weather in Spain (during pre-season last week) wasn’t nice. It is much better here. I have a lot of friends here. I don’t need to race here but I enjoy to come back and race here.
“The guys in the local championship are fun. I can come here and relax. In Moto2, there is a lot of stress. But I hope my kilometers here will help me prepare for the race.I know the track well. We just need to sort the bike out. Hopefully we can have a stronger race,” West, known for his mastery in wet conditions, said.
Al Attiyah joked he would rather see QMMF Racing Team ride in rain than in dry conditions.
“When I travel to Europe I always wish for rain (laughs), because Anthony is so good in rainy conditions,” Al Attiyah said to roars of laughter in the press room.
“Now I find out that Julian is also very good in wet conditions. So this year we can hope there is more rain in Europe (smiles),” the QMMF President said.
Simon said he was well versed with Losail Circuit corners where controlled speed dictates the outcomes during races.
“It feels nice to be here. It is a fast track, especially in the corners. It is important how to use the brakes on the fast corners,” Simon said.
“Every year, Moto2 becomes tougher as the riders get experience in this class. The riders from Moto3 come to Moto2 with very good level of riding.
“Guys like Marc Marquez also went through these classes. We are going deal with it. But we know experience is very important in this category.
Simon said he would be targeting a ‘top-10’ rank by the end of the Moto2 season.
“It is very special to start the season here. My team is from Qatar and I am starting on ‘home’ track for them. I am happy to be part of this team,” Simon said.
“I have been in this class for 13 years. I have experience and for sure with experience the team can benefit and we can make a good job. I have a good team-mate in Anthony.
“The bike is good, it has good potential. At the moment we are going really fast. We can target top-10 in the championship. I am in a good place. I want to make maximum good results for them,” he added.
The season’s first race takes place today at the Losail Circuit.
THE PENINSULA
