Five keys to race day with Saeed Al Sulaiti
With the final race weekend about to get underway
Fans are preparing for the final race in the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship at Losail International Circuit this weekend, and there are plenty of things to look out for. The championship might be won and the pressure is off, but the action and motivation are still high. Not to mention the sensational fight for the FIM Supersport World Championship, and we caught up with former WorldSBK racer Saeed Al Sulaiti to talk us through the five points to keep an eye on.
- WorldSSP title fight
It’s very close between Jules Cluzel (NRT) and Sandro Cortese (Kallio Racing), and the last race was amazing, when Cluzel won he made it even more exciting. I know there is going to be a big fight here. With 5 points between them, it’s a really exciting battle. I will make the effort to be here just to watch it.
- Jonathan Rea and his records
To be winning in his fourth season in a row, it’s unbelievable. I didn’t expect to see him four times, I raced with him two years ago and he was the champion, and two years later he is still the champion, it’s amazing. I wish next season there will be someone to be competitive against him, so WorldSBK can be more exciting, but for him it’s amazing.
- Michael van der Mark going for second in the championship
Thinking ahead of this round, it’s amazing to see the step ahead he has made with Yamaha. They are in the top three and are fighting for second position, with a possibility to take second, but I think Chaz Davies (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) is really strong here. But this is racing and we won’t know what will happen. Overall it’s been an amazing season for van Der Mark and Yamaha and I really wish him the best, and next season I think he will be one of the guys to fight with Jonathan next season to win.
- Improvement with the track surface
In case we have rain, the track is ready. After the situation in MotoGP™, we closed the track and made some big services. When we had this storm three days ago, it was the biggest storm we have had for years and there were no pools on the track. If it rains we will be fine, we could have the first time with rain tyres under the lights, that would be exciting.
- A lot of ‘final’ this weekend
For Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) it will be a big weekend, and I wish him all the luck for the future. I am excited to see what happens in the future for Sykes, as we haven’t seen him on another bike for so long. I’m also excited about the new Ducati next season and I think Fores will have a good race here. Last weekend he was on the podium, and he will be motivated as he enjoys the track and it will be good to see!
Keep up with the final weekend of the season and look out for all the points Saeed mentions, all with the WorldSBK VideoPass.
