03 March 2022 – Losail International Circuit – Qatar

After almost four months from the last race, we return to the track. Since 2004, the first race of the Championship has been held on this track, just outside Doha. Its particular location in the middle of the desert makes the route very evocative. The Sterilgarda Husqvarna Max Racing comes to this first race after testing at Jerez and the official test at Portimao, less than two weeks ago. Our two drivers were pretty fast in both tests, where they got familiar with their new teams.

Ayumu spent the winter in Spain, where he was able to train hard and this allowed him to arrive very prepared, for the beginning of this season. Very profitable also the work of John, who has engaged with his team, to adapt the new bike to his driving style. The results are very good and this is very good for the start of the championship.

Following the statements of Ayumu, John and our team Owner Max Biaggi, about this first weekend of races.

AYUMU SASAKI : “First of all I am very excited to start the 2022 season. Riding in Qatar is always something special and I am very motivated. We had some amazing tests, I feel very good on the bike. We have an amazing team and yeah, I just can’t wait to ride there and hopefully have a great ground one over the 2022 season.”

JOHN MCPHEE : “Qatar is a track that I enjoy a lot and on which I have had some good races, so it’s always really exciting to kick off the season at this place. I am really looking forward to arriving there with my new team and my new bike, and see what is possible. I think the first two practice sessions will be important for us, just to fine tweak our setup. Overall I am really excited, looking forward, feeling prepared and ready for this first race.”

MAX BIAGGI – TEAM OWNER : “I am very excited to start the 2022 Championship, which for Sterilgarda Husqvarna Max Racing represents the third consecutive year as Team Factory Husqvarna Motorcycles. It has been a very long winter, in which we have prepared the 2022 season in the best possible way with Sasaki and McPhee. It will be important to get off to a good start right from the first practice in Qatar.”

Statistics

On this track last year there were two races, at a distance of a week from each other. Race 1 was won by J. Masia, who preceded P. Acosta and D. Binder. The pole was obtained by D. Binder, with a time of 2’04.075 and an average of 156 Km/h. Ayumu and John started from 15th and 3rd respectively. Unfortunately both did not finish the race, due to a crash. P.Acosta won race 2, ahead of D. Binder and N. Antonelli. J. Masia started from pole, with a time of 2’05.913 and an average of 153.8 Km/h. Ayumu started seventeenth, crossing the finish line in seventh position. Fall instead for John, after starting from the seventh position.

On this track John got two second places in 2017 and 2020, while Ayumu I got as best result an eighth place in 2018.

As for the circuit records, D. Binder obtained the All Time Lap Record in 2021, with a time of 2’04.075 and an average of 156 km/h. This time also represents the Best Pole. R. Fenati in 2019 obtained the Best Race Lap, with a time of 2’05.403 and an average of 154.4 Km/h. 246 km/h is the maximum speed, achieved by S. Garcia in 2020.

Schedule – Local Time (GMT +3)

Here are the times to follow the Sterilgarda Husqvarna Max Racing this weekend.

Thursday 03 March
17:00 – Press Conference

Friday 04 March
11:50 – 12:30 – FP1 Moto3
16:10 – 16:50 – FP2 Moto3

Saturday 05 March
11:25 – 12:05 – FP3 Moto3
15:30 – 15:45 – Q1 Moto3
15:55 – 16:10 – Q2 Moto3

Sunday 06 March
13:00 – 13:10 – Warm-Up Moto3
15:00 – Race Moto3