DUBAI // Abdulaziz Binladen began the 2013/14 UAE Sportbike Championship season in the best way possible on Friday, by winning both races on the opening day at the Dubai Autodrome’s National Circuit.
The Saudi Falcons Racing rider won the first race by 5.348 seconds and the second by a comfortable 12.157 seconds, on his Kawasaki.
“It was very hot out there, but we managed to get it right, although we tried some set-up changes in the second race which did not quite work,” Binladen said.
“I really like the National Circuit configuration, as it suits my style.”
The Chennai-based rider Gautam Mayilvaganan was second in both races on a Honda. “It was a good day and I am happy to be on the podium,” he said. “It is part of the plan to do as well as possible and even challenge for the championship.”
Joe Oxley was third twice on a Ducati, but cited a need for improvement. “I need to get the bike up to speed, because the goal is to compete at the front with Abdulaziz,” he said.
Mahmoud Tannir, the defending champion, slid out in Race 1 but recovered to finish fourth in Race 2.
Michael Collins opened with a pair of victories to get a jump on the competition in the Rookie Cup. Darryl Pais was second twice.
In the non-championship 1000 class, Alan Boyter won twice.
Leon Price won the third and fourth round of the NGK Series in the Dragon Racing McLaren, a car making its first appearance at the Autodrome.
Costas Papantonis, driving the Gulf Petrochem SEAT, won both Class 1 races and Rupesh Channake was a double winner in Class 2 in his Lap57 Honda.
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