Pata Yamaha riders all geared up for ultimate race in Qatar

Alex Lowes (Pata Yamaha with Rizla WorldSBK)- What to Expect?

Photo credits: Yamaha Racing

It’s the final race weekend of the season and my last appearance for the Pata Yamaha WorldSBK team this weekend in Qatar, a track I really like. My goal is to enjoy the weekend with a team with whom I’ve formed a really strong bond and in which I’ve made some really good friends. I head to Qatar determined to finish my time with the team on a high and to fight for third place in the championship. The track is really flowing and the triple right-hand corners are probably my favourite sections on the whole of the WorldSBK calendar. The fact that we race under floodlights, which is a unique experience, makes it a pretty cool end to the season. I can’t wait to get there and kick off the weekend,” says Lowes as quoted from Yamaha Racing.

Michael van der Mark (Pata Yamaha with Rizla WorldSBK)- What to Expect?

Photo credits: Yamaha Racing

“It’s going to be a very exciting season finale, that’s for sure. Just six points separate me, Alex and Toprak in the fight for third place in the championship standings, which means the goal this weekend has to be to fight for the podium in all three races. I’m pretty confident we can do that in Qatar, as it’s one of my favourite tracks and one that is well suited to our Yamaha R1. I’m looking forward to the weekend ahead, as it should be a fantastic end to the year.”

Marco Melandri (GRT Yamaha Supported WorldSBK)- What to Expect?

Photo credits: Yamaha Racing

“Qatar will be my last race weekend before retirement, which means I head there with mixed emotions. On one hand I’m a little sad because racing has been such a huge part of my life and I had hoped to bow out on a higher note, as the results this season don’t reflect my potential and are not how I want to be remembered.”

“Conversely, I’m also happy to have made the decision to stop, especially after such a difficult season. I’m proud of what I’ve achieved in my racing career, but now it’s time to turn the page and start a new chapter in my life. Qatar is a beautiful place to race, especially under the floodlights, and I’ll have many friends around me this weekend as I race for the last time. The goal is to finish as I started, by giving it my all and pushing for the best result possible.”

Sandro Cortese (GRT Yamaha Supported WorldSBK)- What to Expect?

Photo credits: Yamaha Racing

“I’m really looking forward to the final race weekend of the season at the Losail International Circuit in Qatar, as it’s one of my favourite tracks on the calendar. It’s a great layout and racing under floodlights makes it a great race at which to end the year. I’m happy to be back on the bike so soon after Argentina, which was a bit of a difficult weekend for us. My goal in Qatar is to give everything to show the full potential of the Yamaha R1, the team and also myself, to secure a good result in all three races and to round out the season with a top ten finish in the overall championship standings.”

Loris Baz (Ten Kate Yamaha Supported WorldSBK)- What to Expect?

Photo credits: Yamaha Racing

“The week has been mostly about recovery after the two crashes in Argentina. I’ve had an assessment of the injuries and, I’m happy to say, there’s nothing to be concerned about. My back is still a little bit tight, but physiotherapy should remedy that before we head into the final race weekend of the season. I always enjoy racing in Qatar; the layout of the track is great and it’s always really special riding in the dark under the floodlights. We know from Alex’s performance last year that the Yamaha R1 works well there, so I hope we can start with a strong base and finish the season on a high note, hopefully with the podium finish that has proved so elusive so far and tenth place in the championship. That’s the target.”