The Honda World Superbike Team has landed in Qatar, as they prepare for Round 13 of the 2016 FIM Superbike World Championship. Nicky Hayden and Michael van der Mark will attack the fast-flowing 5.38 km Losail International Circuit on their Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade SP machines and share their pit garage for one last time.

Nicky Hayden’s best result at Losail is a second place from 2006 during his MotoGP years.  After his weekend stint in Repsol Honda colours, replacing injured Dani Pedrosa in MotoGP at Phillip Island, the Kentucky Kid is ready to resume action in WorldSBK.

“I’m ready to switch back to World Superbike mode, tyres and everything else, and the truth is I’m really happy to be back here in Qatar,” said Hayden. “I like the racing at night under the floodlights, I think it’s fun. In the past I obviously went to Losail at the start of the season, while here it’s the last round. I’m very motivated: the team and Honda have given me a great opportunity to race and do well, as well as letting me do the MotoGP races when I was needed there and had a weekend off. I really hope to repay them with two really good races this weekend.”

After celebrating his 24^th birthday on Wednesday, Michael van der Mark now prepares for his last round as a factory Honda rider this weekend. The young Dutchman was fourth and fifth in the two races last year at Losail after challenging the front-runners. In 2014 he wrapped up his World Supersport title-winning campaign with a race win at the Middle Eastern circuit.

“I cannot believe that it’s already the end of the season!” exclaimed van der Mark. “Of course, being under floodlights this is a very special race and I can’t wait to race at Losail again. This will be my last race with the Honda World Superbike Team and I really want this experience to end in the best way possible. We’re still fourth in the championship standings so the goal is to make this our final position for the year. In 2015 we had two good races in Qatar and I hope this time out we can do even better, so I will be pushing hard!”

The factory Honda riders will begin their final weekend together on Friday 28^th of October with Free Practice first before racing action resumes after dark on Saturday.