(MENAFN- The Peninsula) Ace riders Alex Cudlin of Australia and Mashel Al Naimi of Qatar this week will go head-to-head to claim honours in the final round of the Qatar Superbike Championship.
As expected, it is going to be an exciting weekend with a tough battle for the title between Cudlin and Al Naimi.
QMMF's Australian rider has an advantage of 21 points over Qatari rider Al Naimi, but with 50 points up for grabs, it could be anyone's race this Saturday.
Cudlin has been on the podium in all rounds except in the third round where he lost a lot of points due to mechanical problems.
Cudlin hopes to end the season with a victory and the championship title.
"I'm really looking forward to this weekend's two races," Cudlin said.
"I feel really motivated and ready. We have been clawing back points all season on Mashel. To enter the final round ahead on points is a positive sign," the Australian added. "I've said at the start of the season that I want to win my 5th straight championship title. I hope on Saturday that comes true," Cudlin warned.
"I will, of course, try and win both races this weekend, but the most important is to try and win the championship title," Cudlin said.
Al Naimi has been leading the championship since the fifth round, but in the last round he couldn't add to his overall tally as he had problems with his Honda bike. The Qatari rider didn't start in the second race.
"I am very excited for this weekend and ready for a nice battle with Alex," Al Naimi said.
"I know it will be difficult to win the championship but I will try my best to win both races. I will wait to see what Alex can do, but for sure it will be an exciting weekend," Al Naimi said with a smile.
The second battle of the weekend will be for the third place in the championship.
QMMF Racing Team's Moto2 rider Anthony West of Australia is third in the standings with 150 points but as he will not take place this weekend.
The fight for the third place will be between Qatari duo Nasser Al Malki, Saeed Al Sulaiti and Germany's Nina Prinz, as there is only a four-point gap between them.
In the Supersport category, the championship will be also decided this weekend as Qatari rider Jassim Al Thani will be looking to add to his overall tally of 207 points. Lebanon's Mahmoud Tannir is second with 190 points.
Tomorrow (May 8), track activity will start at 5:00pm with the free practice 1, followed by free practice 2 at 7:15pm. The official qualifying session is scheduled to start at 9:15pm tomorrow and the Superpole will start at 10:15pm.
Races will be held on Saturday, with the first race of the final round starting at 7:35pm and the second race at 10:20pm.
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