Dubai: The action resumes in the UAE Sportbike Championship at Dubai Autodrome after a two-week break on Friday, with the 2013-2014 title chase very much in the spotlight.
Two wins last time out has bolstered Abdul Aziz Bin Laden’s championship ambitions aboard his Liberty Kawasaki. The Saudi ace has won eight out of 11 races so far this season in the 600 Class and has been the pace-setter all season long.
Chasing hard is reigning champion Mahmoud Tannir, who has only one victory to his name this season but has been a model of connsistency and thus, with only four rounds to go, is trailing Bin Laden by only ten points. The Dubai-based Lebanese rider made his debut on a Honda last time out and, with dealer support, could well find the extra pace he needs to defend his title.
He said: “One of the big advantages of becoming a dealer-backed team is the additional support that Al Futtaim Honda are able to provide, which means the team now has three fully trained mechanics at the test and race days, as well as extensive marketing support.”
Gernot Dobida makes a welcome return to 600 Class action in the UAE’s premier category aboard a Triumph Daytona.
In the Rookie Cup, Yamaha rider Michael Collins has all but wrapped up the title with nine wins out of 11 starts.
Rookies challenging him on the day should be the likes of Ahmad Khammas (Yamaha), Vafi Khan (Yamaha) and Nasir Hussain (Triumph).
In the race-within-a-race, the non-championship 1000 Class, pace setter Alan Boyter is absent and so there is likely to be a battle between the KTM-mounted Steve Blackney and BMW rider Nasser Al Shaiba.
Action takes place on the international circuit configuration of Dubai Autodrome, with UAE Sportbikes warm-up scheduled for 9am on Friday, followed by qualifying at 9.25am. The first of two ten-lap races is scheduled to be flagged off at 10.55am, with race two set to start at 12.55pm.
Entry is free for spectators, who can enjoy access to the grandstands and paddock.
