SPORTFriday 8 March 2019

PAGE | 17 PAGE | 19Nasser

favourite but faces tough test

in Qatar

Al Attiyah re-elected as Asian Equestrian Federation President

MotoGP riders, FIM and QMMF officials pose for a photograph with young Qatar Motor Academy riders at Losail International Circuit, yesterday.

MotoGP: Dorna extends Qatar deal until 2031RIZWAN REHMAT THE PENINSULA

There’s great news for bike fans - Qatar will continue to open the MotoGP season until 2031 at Losail International Circuit (LIC).

This was announced by Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta and Khalid Al Remaihi, Vice President and General Manager of Losail Circuit Sports Club (LCSC), at a press con-ference yesterday.

Minister of Culture and Sports H E Salah bin Ghanem Al Ali and FIM President Jorge Viegas were also present at the media conference.

Dorna - the sports management, marketing and media company - took over the running of the MotoGP World Championship in 1991.

Al Remaihi yesterday also said LIC - the venue for this week’s Vis-itQatar Grand Prix - will undergo major upgrade this year with signif-icant enhancements made to the track, drainage systems and lighting quality around the 5.37km circuit.

“We are happy to announce that we have extended our contract until 2031. This is the longest contract we have made in our history. Normally we don’t do normally but the way Qatar stage this event has given us the confidence that this contract extension is worth it,” Ezpeleta said yesterday.

“I am told that in the near future, there will be immense improvements further. They are ready to lay a new tarmac and put effort into a new drainage system. All this big improvements are possible and will make Losail International Circuit better,” he added.

“Yes, we will continue to stage the season’s first race in Qatar,” he said.

Al Remaihi said the new deal is a reflection of Qatar’s love of bike racing.

“For Qatar, MotoGP is not just a business deal. For Qatar, it is a passion that we live,” Al Remaihi said yesterday.

“It’s been like that since the first day when we hosted the MotoGP race in 2004. It is the first day of the new season and we are here to make this announcement. There is a time-tested and strategic partnership with Dorna.

“We appreciate the support extended to us over the years and now. We couldn’t have done what we do every year without their support. The idea is here that we are going to invest heavily into redevel-opment and upgrade at the circuit,” he added.

“There will be major enhance-ments in every aspect of this won-derful circuit. The drainage system, the lighting etc, you name it. Whether it is the enhancement of the offices or the development of the track, we will do it. We wanted to have the assurance that these enhancements

at the circuit will be well placed with the support of our friends and partners at Dorna.

“We know this investment will be useful. We don’t have a plan to stop this development. We have exclusive rights to host MotoGP in this region and we would like to con-tinue like that. This extension until 2031 is an opportunity for us take the sport forward. I would like to thank Dorna for this contract extension,” Al Remaihi said.

“Qatar, as you know, is speeding ahead with its preparation for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Three new stadiums will be completed this year and I believe the subway (metro) will be running in 2019. I believe Qatar is ahead of schedule with regards to preparing for the World Cup. Our government is working very hard and doing it very professionally. All sport-related

projects are being completed with Qatar’s future in mind,” Al Remaihi said.

Ezpeleta said yesterday: “When we came here for the first time in Middle East in 2004, there were many questions raised as to if we made the right decision to come to the desert. People asked if it would be possible to hold a race here. But Qatar has done its work very well.”

He added: “From the beginning they did well and then picked up pace by hosting the first night race. Initially they got marshals and vol-unteers from outside but now they manage all these things by them-selves. Then we got the night race, the only night race on the calendar so far. For us the biggest thing is the safety of the riders and we know this circuit is one of the safest tracks any-where in the world.”

MotoGP stars meet young QMA ridersTHE PENINSULA DOHA

MotoGP stars and officials yesterday met with young Qatar Motor Academy (QMA) riders at Losail International Circuit (LIC).

FIM President Jorge Viegas yesterday joined Vice President and General Manager of Losail Circuit Sports Club (LCSC), Khalid Al Remaihi, QMMF President Abdulrahman Al Mannai and the MotoGP team riders to meet with QMA riders.

The officials and riders including Val-entino Rossi Marc Marquez and Jorge Lorenzo posed with the QMA riders and later

gave autographs to the budding stars of the future.

The riders are in Qatar for the opening Grand Prix of the new season.

Around fifty boys and girls joined the photoshoot for what is billed as Visit Qatar Grand Prix.

The LCSC, Dorna Sports SL and Aspire Academy launched the QMA last year in November 6.

The QMA gives young riders between the ages of 8 and 16 years, the opportunity to learn from the experts, improve their skills and abilities, and work their way to possibly becoming a world champion.

The MotoGP Championship

is one of the most

important events in the

world of sport. Losail

International Circuit is

the venue for the season-

opener this week. Over

300 million people will

watch this race around the

world. The MotoGP race

weekend in Qatar will be

excellent from all aspects.

The company owning the

rights of MotoGP was keen

to continue to host the

season-opener in Qatar.

The championship will

be best from the point of

view of safety as Losail

International Circuit is one

of safest venues around the

world. This venue is also

one of the most beautiful

race tracks in the world.

Mr Carmello Ezpeleta was

here to witness the signing

of the new contract. Qatar

has advantage of exclusive

rights to host the MotoGP

races in the Middle East.

The new deal is until 2031.

We will have many new

upgrades at the Losail

International Circuit in the

coming years.

Minister of Culture and

Sports H E Salah bin

Ghanem Al Ali

FROM LEFT: Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation President Abdulrahman Al Mannai, Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta, FIM President Jorge Viegas, Minister of Culture and Sports, H E Salah bin Ghanem Al Ali and Vice President and General Manager of Losail Circuit Sports Club (LCSC), Khalid Al Remaihi pose for a photograph during a press conference held in Lusail, yesterday.

Repsol Honda’s Spanish MotoGP riders Marc Marquez (left) and Jorge Lorenzo react during a photoshoot at Losail International Circuit yesterday, ahead of the VisitQatar Grand Prix.

Yamaha MotoGP’s Valentino Rossi looks at his bike.

17FRIDAY 8 MARCH 2019 SPORT

THE PENINSULA DOHA

Qatar’s Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah (pictured) heads a superb 29-car entry for the Manateq Qatar International Rally, round one of the FIA Middle East Rally Cham-pionship to be held from March 14 to 16.

The regional rally series has struggled in recent seasons to attract new teams, but sterling effort and hard work by the Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) has seen a resurgence in interest in rallying in the region and the Qatar event has been rewarded with the largest entry seen for several years.

While Al Attiyah and his French navigator Matthieu Baumel start as clear favourites to give their Autotek Motorsport Volkswagen Polo GTI R5 a winning debut - just two weeks after winning the Manateq Qatar Cross-Country round of the FIA World Cup - there is strength in depth throughout the entry list

that has been sent to the FIA for official approval.

Several other drivers will be eager to challenge Al Attiyah in their R5 cars. Nasser Khalifa Al Attiyah, runner-up in the regional series in 1993 and a podium finisher in Kuwait last season, returns to rallying action in Qatar at the wheel of a Ford Fiesta R5.

Adel Abdulla was second overall at the event last November and also runs a similar Ford for the second time, while former rally winner Abdulaziz Al Kuwari returns to action with a Skoda Fabia and regular Irish co-driver Killian Duffy.

There are also R5 Ford Fiesta entries for the 1993 regional champion Sheikh Hamed bin Eid Al Thani and a returning Khalifa Al Attiyah.

Competition is likely to be intense in the MERC 2 category for Group N or NR4 cars.

Kuwait’s Meshari Al Thefiri returns to defend his regional

title, but will come under intense pressure from the likes of Khalid Al-Suwaidi, Abdulla Al-Kuwari (third overall and MERC 2 winner in 2018), Abdullah Al-Rabban, Mohammed Al-Meer (fourth overall in 2018) and a strong Omani con-tingent, headed by Abdullah Al Ruwahi, Saif Al Harthy and Zakariah Al Shanfari.

The Sultanate of Oman has no less than eight cars on the entry list and the international flavour in boosted by a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX entry for I t a l y ’ s

Stefano Marrini, an RC3 Renault for Jordanian Asem Aref and three Lebanese entries for

defending MERC 3 champion Henry

Kahy (Skoda), Elie C h a c h a t i (Subaru) and Ahmad Khaled

(Mitsubishi).“We are

delighted to be back in our

customary slot at the start of the

s e a s o n a n d h o s t i n g t h e

opening round of the FIA Middle East

R a l l y

Championship,” enthused QMMF President Abdulrahman Al-Mannai.

“Our goal is to continue the resurgence of the regional rally championship and to see it develop and flourish in the future. The series has struggled for entries in recent seasons, but we have worked hard to attract teams and to make it possible for them to come to Qatar. I am delighted with the strength in depth of the entry we have received.”

Any cars that fail to comply with FIA regulations will run in a national event behind the main international rally.

This year’s rally will be based at the Lusail Sports Arena for a second year, but the ceremonial start and opening super special stage will take place at Souq Al-Wakra on March 14.

After a further 10 special stages in the north of the country on March 15 and 16. The prize giving ceremony and post-event press conference will take place

at Souq Waqif in downtown Doha for a second year on March 16.

Al Attiyah favourite but faces tough testTop drivers gear up for Manateq Qatar International Rally

pressure from the likes of Khalid Al-Suwaidi, Abdulla Al-Kuwari(third overall and MERC 2 winner in 2018), Abdullah Al-Rabban,Mohammed Al-Meer (fourth overall in 2018) and a strong Omani con-tingent, headed by Abdullah Al Ruwahi, Saif Al Harthy and Zakariah Al Shanfari.

The Sultanate of Oman has no less than eight cars on the entry list and the international flavour in boosted by a Mitsubishi Lancer EvoIX entry for I t a l y ’ s

for Jordanian Asem Aref and three Lebanese entries for

defending MERC 3 champion Henry

Kahy (Skoda), Elie C h a c h a t i (Subaru) and Ahmad Khaled

(Mitsubishi).“We are

delighted to be back in our

customary slot at the start of the

s e a s o n a n dh o s t i n g t h e

opening round of the FIA Middle East

R a l l y

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Several other drivers will be eager to challenge Al Attiyah in their R5 cars. Nasser Khalifa Al Attiyah, runner-up in the regional series in 1993 and a podium finisher in Kuwait last season, returns to rallying action in Qatar at the wheel of a Ford Fiesta R5.

Adel Abdulla was second overall at the event last November and also runs a similar Ford for the second time, while former rally winner Abdulaziz Al Kuwari returns to action with a Skoda Fabia and regular Irish co-driver Killian Duffy.

India boycott threat looms over cricket’s global showpieceAFP NEW DELHI

Border tensions between India and Pakistan are casting a cloud over this year’s cricket World Cup with the threat of a boycott hanging over their highly-anticipated clash in England.

There have been calls for India to forfeit their June 16 match against Pakistan after a suicide bomb attack in Indian-admin-istered Kashmir claimed by a militant group based in Pakistan in which 40 Indian troops died. Pakistan vehemently denies any involvment.

Tit-for-tat air strikes and an aerial dogfight followed, igniting fears of an all-out conflict, but the crisis appeared to ease when Pakistan returned an Indian pilot who was shot down and captured.

But doubts remain over the fate of the group stage match in Manchester.

The ball rests firmly with India’s politicians, who are not likely to make any decision until nearer the match, after crick-eters and sports officials said they will abide by any government call for a boycott.

Vinod Rai, a senior official of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), told reporters after the Kashmir attack that they had written to the International Cricket Council (ICC) to demand tough security at the World Cup, which begins in England and Wales on May 30.

Rai confirmed a boycott decision would only be made at a later date -- and after consulting the government.

India captain Virat Kohli said the players would respect any instruction from the government or board.

“Our stand is simple: we stick by what the nation wants to do and what the BCCI decides to do,” Kohli told reporters.

“That is basically our opinion. Whatever the government and the board decide, we will go by that and we will respect that.”

In the letter to the ICC, the BCCI urged “the cricketing com-munity to sever ties with countries from which terrorism emanates”.

ESPNcricinfo.com senior editor Sharda Ugra believes the ICC are unlikely to get involved and the next move rests with the Indian government.

“I think they won’t be able to get the ICC to take on any stand on it and I don’t think the BCCI will say that we are not playing there,” she said.

“It will have to be a government pressure on them to not play. June 16 is still many days off and politics can play any nar-rative it wants to suit itself.”

Opinions have differed among prominent figures in Indian cricket. Former paceman Chetan Sharma said that country comes first for him and he would prefer India giving up two points if need be.

“It totally depends on what the government decides. As a sportsperson I must tell you that we are Indians first and then comes cricket,” said Sharma.

Asked what should happen if India drew Pakistan in the semi-finals or the final, Sharma said: “I would still say that it’s the country and not the World Cup that is important.”

India’s greatest batsman Sachin Tendulkar tweeted he would “hate” to hand Pakistan two points by forfeiting the game, but added, “India always comes first, so whatever my country decides, I will back with all my heart.”

Former India spin bowler Harbhajan Singh was vociferous in calling for a boycott.

“I don’t care about losing points as the Indian team is pow-erful enough to win the World Cup without playing Pakistan,” said Singh, who took 417 Test wickets.

A boycott would be costly for organisers. The match is one of the hottest tickets at the World Cup, which begins on May 30, with demand so far outstripping that for the final, according to ICC.

Swiss great Federer shies away from Superman tagAFP INDIAN WELLS, UNITED STATES

Roger Federer (pictured) is still savoring his latest remarkable milestone, but the Swiss great says his 100th career title isn’t a sign he’s super-human.

“The problem is, people always elevate the superstar athlete to like Superman status like we’re super-human and all that stuff,” Federer said Wednesday as he prepared for his next challenge at the Indian Wells Masters.

“I don’t see myself like that. Being perfect doesn’t exist,” Federer said. “Everybody has their flaws. So do I.”

Federer, owner of a men’s record 20 Grand Slam titles, reached the 100-title milestone with a ruthless 6-4, 6-4 disman-tling of

Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas in the Dubai Championship final last Sunday.

Seeded fourth at Indian Wells, he’ll launch his bid for a sixth title in the California Desert exactly one week later when he takes on either Peter Gojowczyk or Andreas Seppi in the second round.

He could find himself taking on Swiss compatriot

Stan Wawrinka, a three-time Grand Slam champion, in the third round in a quarter that also includes sixth-seeded Kei Nishikori of Japan.

“It is something incredible to see, how (often Federer) plays at a high level and does not have many injuries,” said Nishikori.

“For sure, he works so much harder than everybody,” said the star.

Federer, 37, said he never envisioned winning 100 titles -- becoming just the second player along with 109-time winner Jimmy Connors to hit triple digits.

“It’s an achievement that I never thought I was going to make and one I only started thinking about maybe in the last nine months or year or so, ever since maybe I got to 96 or 97,” he said.

Federer’s 99th trophy had come last October at his home event in Basel.

He missed out on the century at the Paris Masters, the ATP Finals in London and then at Melbourne -- failing to make the final at any of those events, but when he got there in Dubai there was no room for doubt.

“First attempt in a finals it’s

nice to pass the hurdle and get to 100 rather than going to every single event from now on and going ‘Is this going to be the week where you’re going to reach 100?’ and going ‘Yeah, I hope so,’” he said.

“I think all the players would have gotten fed up with that too so I’m happy I got it out of the way.

“What I like about it is that it’s maybe also a little time to reflect on all these great moments and great titles that I’ve had,” he said.

“For me, they’re all very important. Some were more important than others, some were nicer than others but at the end every one has a special meaning for me,” said the Swiss superstar.

we e supe u a a d astuff,” Federer said

nesday as he prepared for ext challenge at the Indian

Masters.don’t see myself like that.

g perfect doesn’t exist,”rer said. “Everybody has flaws. So do I.”ederer, owner of a men’s d 20 Grand Slam titles, ed the 100-titletone withthless 6-4

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I don’t see myself like that. Being perfect doesn’t exist. Everybody has their flaws. So do I: Roger Federer

Azarenka books Serena showdownAFP INDIAN WELLS, UNITED STATES

Two-time Indian Wells champion Victoria Azarenka shook off a slow start to beat Vera Lapko 6-2, 6-3 on Wednesday and set up a second-round meeting with long-time rival Serena Williams.

Azarenka, a former world number one now ranked 48th in the world, said she started a little too passive in dropping the first two games against her fellow Belarussian, but roared back to seal the win with ease.

She was looking forward to taking on 10th-seeded Williams, who like all the seeds in the com-bined WTA and ATP Masters event has a first-round bye.

The American has won 17 of their 21 prior encounters, but Aza-renka won their most recent clash -- in the 2016 Indian Wells final.

“Of course it’s going to be a very special match for us,” she said of their first clash since both became mothers.

“We have such a big history, it’s going to be really special. She motivates me, she inspires me, she pushes me to be better,” Aza-renka said of Williams.

The opening day of women’s main draw play saw highly touted teenagers Bianca Andreescu and Amanda Ansimova reached the second round. Canada’s Andreescu, 18, rallied from a set down to beat Romanian Irina-Camelia Begu 6-7 (3/7), 6-3, 6-3.

“For me, the ending is the most important, so I’m really glad I pulled through,” said Andreescu, who has won 22 matches this season including qualifying and main draw.

She has climbed steadily in the rankings, rising from 107th to start the year to 60th.

American Ansimova, 17, lined up a meeting with 16th-seeded Elise Mertens of Belgium with a 6-0, 6-4 victory over Serbian Aleksandra Krunic. Third-seeded Petra Kvitova, who will face either Venus Williams or Andrea

Petkovic in the second round, said she wasn’t surprised to see teenagers making such a strong showing.

Elsewhere, American Sofia

Kenin didn’t have to wait long to avenge her loss to Wang Yafan in last Saturday’s Acapulco women’s final -- ousting China’s Wang 1-6, 7-5, 6-4.

Victoria Azarenka of Belarus plays a forehand shot against compatriot Vera Lapko during their ladies singles first round match of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California.

COMMERCIAL BANK QATAR MASTERS

FIRST ROUND SCORES

67 A Arnaus (Esp), J Walters (RSA),

68 B Dredge (Wal), H Leon (Chi), J Harding (RSA), N Colsaerts (Bel), G

Coetzee (RSA), R Ramsay (Sco), M Lorenzo-Vera (Fra),

69 L Slattery (Eng), E Van Rooyen (RSA), I Cantero Gutierrez (Esp), P Waring

(Eng), R Karlsson (Swe), S Fernandez (Esp), G Forrest (Sco), E Molinari (Ita), M

Kawamura (Jpn), N Cullen (Aus), K Kitayama (USA), M Kieffer (Ger), Y Miyazato

(Jpn), R Fisher (Eng), G Bhullar (Ind), R Macintyre (Sco), O Wilson (Eng),

70 D Lawson (Aus), A Chesters (Eng), T Pieters (Bel), S Kjeldsen (Den), A

Sullivan (Eng), B Evans (Eng), J Winther (Den), T Detry (Bel), N Johansson (Swe),

71 A Otaegui (Esp), B Stone (RSA), T Jaidee (Tha), J Smith (Eng), J Kruyswijk

(RSA), N Elvira (Esp), G Green (Mas), D Horsey (Eng), K Samooja (Fin), G Moynihan

(Irl), K Broberg (Swe), R Gouveia (Por), A Cañizares (Esp), H Tanihara (Jpn), T

Aiken (RSA),

72 M Warren (Sco), D Drysdale (Sco), M Schwab (Aut), J Choi (Kor), J Dantorp

(Swe), A Karlsson (Swe), T Pulkkanen (Fin), D Howell (Eng), D Lipsky (USA), M

Southgate (Eng), T Bjørn (Den), B Wiesberger (Aut), M Kinhult (Swe), R Rock

(Eng), J Campillo (Esp), R Jacquelin (Fra), F Zanotti (Par), S Soderberg (Swe), J

McLeod (Aus), L Johnston (Sco), A Saddier (Fra), S Brazel (Aus), C Sordet (Fra),

A Meronk (Pol), D Gavins (Eng), Z Lombard (RSA), C Bezuidenhout (RSA), M

Korhonen (Fin), S Gregory (Eng),

73 J Singh Brar (Eng), S Chawrasia (Ind), B Ritthammer (Ger), D Law (Sco),

L Gagli (Ita), S Jamieson (Sco), J Hansen (Den), A Björk (Swe), K Koivu (Fin), M

Schmitt (Ger), O Fisher (Eng), G Fdez-Castaño (Esp), P Figueiredo (Por), J Van

Zyl (RSA), C Saxon (USA), H Park (Kor), H Porteous (RSA), S Brown (Eng), V

Dubuisson (Fra),

74 J Lagergren (Swe), C Paisley (Eng), F Bergamaschi (Ita), S Locke (Sco), P

Langfors (Swe), B Hebert (Fra), R Wattel (Fra), A Rai (Eng), P Larrazábal (Esp),

M Waite (Eng),

78 V Perez (Fra), G Migliozzi (Ita), S Al Kaabi (am) (Qat),

86 J Alkuwari (am) (Qat),

ARMSTRONG VAS THE PENINSULA

Spain’s Adri Arnaus and Justin Walters of South Africa shared the lead at the end of the opening day of the European tour sanc-tioned Commercial Bank Qatar Masters here yesterday.

On a windy and dusty day, the duo overcame the tough con-ditions to fire an opening round of 67 to sit atop a congested lea-derboard at Doha Golf Club.

Spaniard Arnaus carded the best opening round of his rookie season to date to set the target at five under before South African Walters went bogey free in the afternoon to join him.

South African pair George Coetzee and Justin Harding, Belgian Nicolas Colsaerts, Welshman Bradley Dredge, Chile’s Hugo Leon, Frenchman Mike Lorenzo-Vera and Scot-land’s Richie Ramsay were then at four under, with three shots separating the top 37 players.

Arnaus only turned profes-sional in 2017 but finished second on the European Chal-lenge Tour Rankings last season and has made five of seven cuts so far this campaign.

“It was a lot of fun, honestly,” he said.

“The wind picked up early but we kept the ball in play most of the time and gave myself good looks. I was able to take advantage of those, so I’m pretty pleased.

“It was so good being in con-tention last year, and then at the end being able to close it off at

the Challenge Tour Grand Final gave me the belief that I could go on and do it on a bigger stage.”

Walters is looking for his first European Tour win in his 192nd appearance after graduating from the Challenge Tour in 2012 and twice coming through the Qualifying School since.

Arnaus eagled the par five 18th to go with birdies on the tenth and 16th and, when he then birdied the second, he held the solo lead at five under.

Playing partner Leon also birdied the second to sit a shot off the lead after making gains on the 12th, 14th, 16th and 18th to go with a dropped shot on the 13th.

Harding made a birdie-birdie start but dropped a shot on the 12th before picking it back up on the next. A run of five pars would follow as he turned in 34 but he birdied the first and ninth - from eight feet - to set the target with a 68.

Coetzee started birdie-bogey but made three birdies in a row from the fifth and when he broke a run of ten pars thanks to a beautiful pitch on the last, there was a five way tie for the lead.

Arnaus dropped a shot on the fifth and missed a golden chance to retrieve it from eight feet on the eighth but he made no mistake on his last hole to edge back ahead on his own.

Leon dropped a shot on the seventh but also birdied the ninth to get back to four under.

In the afternoon, Walters birdied the tenth, 18th, second and third to get into contention

and a long putt on the sixth put him into a share of the lead.

Playing partner Ramsay had shared the lead after he started eagle-birdie and recovered from a bogey on the 12th with gains on the 16th, 18th and first. Back to back bogeys from the seventh slipped him back but he recovered with a gain on the ninth. Dredge had also shared the lead as he sandwiched a bogey on the 12th with birdies on the tenth, 11th and 16th before making three in a row from the 18th. He then dropped shots on the third and sixth before hitting back on the ninth.

Colsaerts turned in 36 with a bogey on the second and a birdie on the ninth but came home brilliantly, birdieing the 11th and 12th before holing a long putt on the 15th and driving up to the fringe on the par four next.

Lorenzo-Vera dropped a single shot on the eighth to go with birdies on the third, ninth, 12th, 16th and last.

India’s Gaganjeet Bhullar had been at five under, while Scot Robert MacIntyre and England’s Lee Slattery had both shared the

lead before falling back to three under.

“It was a good opening day. I started off well from the 10th and I was minus five in the first 10 holes. Then I was a bit unlucky and had a double bogey, losing an odd ball. That was the only blemish I had today and off the remaining holes I parred to finish with three under,” Bhullar said.

“The conditions were tough…Right from the morning. It is a decent score, I would say. I feel it is a good start to the tour-nament. The course played in good shape – fairways, greens and bunkers. The greens are firm but a little bit dry and you have to hit the ball a little high to stop it,” he added.

Ryder Cup star from 2010 Ross Fisher, 2008 European Number One Robert Karlsson and last week’s winner Kurt Kitayama were also in the group of 18 players in the club-house two shots off the lead.

Australia’s Lucas Herbert was also in that group but darkness brought an end to play as his group were playing their final hole and the trio will return to finish early on day two.

18 FRIDAY 8 MARCH 2019SPORT

Warming up today in the wind I was

thinking anything under par would

be a great score, so to go five under I’m

ecstatic. I putted really well: Walters

I’m pretty satisfied, the conditions were pretty difficult. I thought my front nine was pretty difficult to deal with. I had a couple of decent up and downs and then had some roll on the back nine: Nicolas Colsaerts

I’m very pleased because there was a lot of trouble out there. You need to have really good control of the ball off the tee, so that was very interesting. We had it from the first hole to the last hole, really strong: Mike Lorenzo-Vera

It was a lot of fun, honestly. The wind picked up early, but we kept the ball in play most of the time. I was able to take advantage of those, so I’m pretty pleased: Adri Arnaus

Arnaus, Walters share Qatar Masters leadAdri Arnaus of Spain in action during the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters at the Doha Golf Club yesterday,

Justin Walters of South Africa in action yesterday.

VisitQatar Grand Prix 2019: Marquez leads star cast

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MotoGP riders pose for a group

photo at the Losail

International Circuit

ahead of VisitQatar

Grand Prix 2019.

Spanish star Marc Marquez

(third left, front) is in Qatar to start his title

defence.

Who’s saying what ahead of season opener Since 2017 I’m looking at everybody. I’m looking at all my opponents in the same way because for example in 2017, we were here and not a lot of people spoke about Dovizioso and he was the man to beat: Reigning World Champion Marc Marquez In the last years here I did good results. Apart from one victory I was on the podium a lot of times, so we have to

try. But if I have to think now, maybe we have seven or eight riders ready for the podium. I don’t know if we are stronger here than last year because anyway it was a good race. But we’ll see, we have to try: Valentino Rossi

For sure our competitors are strong right now but we are closing the gap little by little: Maverick Vinales

This preseason I was trying to be strong. I was trying to improve our Suzuki bike a little bit because the setup from last year was very nice. But we improve a little bit on the braking area, a little bit on the top speed area so this means Suzuki have worked very hard during the winter: Andrea Dovizioso

19FRIDAY 8 MARCH 2019 SPORT

Epaillard continues Doha love affair as CHI Al Shaqab 2019 commencesRIZWAN REHMAT THE PENINSULA

French rider Julien Epaillard yesterday continued where he had left off last week as he guided Virtuose Champeix to victory in the feature event on the opening day of CHI Al Shaqab.

The 41-year-old rider last week won the prestigious LGCT Grand Prix with Usual Suspect d’Auge.

Epaillard, stride Virtuose Champeix, yesterday clocked 58.86 seconds in the 150m class at Al Shaqab Arena to win the top prize of €23,375.

Brazili’s Yuri Mansur, who was in the saddle with Carlson, clocked 61.19 seconds to get richer by €18,700 while running against the clock.

Epaillard said yesterday: “I am very happy. I saw Yuri Mansur in the lead and so tried to be faster. It worked and it is a fan-tastic day for me. I took a risk and it worked. Al Shaqab has one of the best facilities for horses and riders and I enjoy competing here.”

Frenchman Kevin Staut also made it to the podium as he guided Viking d’La Rousserie to the third fastest time. Viking d’La Rousserie clocked 61.43 seconds to claim the prize of €14,025.

Belgium’s Karel Cox (Evert; 61.64 seconds, €9,350) finished fourth while Ireland’s Shane Breen, astride Golden Hawk, com-pleted the top five in a time of 61.68 seconds. Breen won €6.545.

Earlier in the 1.45m class, Bel-gium’s Jos Verlooy yesterday emerged winner with Caracas who clocked 33.77 seconds. Verlooy won €6,250.

Verlooy, 23, said: “It was great to win. My horse jumped super. He decided to go faster the first day – that was my plan, so that was good. Al Shaqab has an unbe-lievable stadium, the facilities are super for the riders and horses. It’s my fourth time here and I really like to come here (to par-ticipate). I’m looking forward to the Grand Prix on Saturday.”

Compatriot Geir Gulliksen, astride VDL Groep Quatro, grabbed the second spot in a time of 34.93 seconds. Gulliksen won €5,000.

French rider and a frequent visitor to Qatar, Simon Delestre guided Filou Carlo Zimenquest to the third fastest time of 35.10 seconds. Delestre won €3,750 Great Britain’s Scott Brash fin-ished fourth with Hello Senator (36.08 second, €2,500). Dutch rider Bart Bles (Israel V/D Den-nehoeve, 36.16 seconds €1,750) completed the top five out of 12 rides running against the clock.

Qatar’s Sheikh Ali bin Khalid Al Thani (Sirocco), Bassem Hassan Mohammed (Argelith Squid), Salmen Sultan Al Suwaidi (Cantaro 32) and Faleh Suwead Al Ajami (Carport) were also seen in action yesterday.

The three-day competition continues today at Al Shaqab Arena. The latest edition of CHI Al Shaqab is witnessing 91 riders and 139 horses from 23 nations featuring in the event, which Al Shaqab is organising for the sixth time.

The riders - whether indi-vidual or team - are competing in the Olympic equestrian disci-plines of show jumping, dressage, and para dressage during CHI Al Shaqab - the only equestrian competition of its kind in the Middle East and Asia region.

“I would like to extend my appreciation to Al Shaqab for hosting outstanding riders in this

great facility and for working in cooperation with the Qatar Equestrian Federation. The results are already bearing fruit – besides encouraging them to aspire towards higher goals, there has been a marked increase in the quality of our riders,” Hamad bin Abdulrahman Al Attiyah, Pres-ident of the Qatar Equestrian Fed-eration (QEF) and Asian Eques-trian Federation (QEF), said before the start of the tournament.

Mohammed Sultan Al Suwaidi, Manager, Equine Edu-cation Department at Al Shaqab, yesterday said: “Al Shaqab is ded-icated to providing the highest

level of equestrian education pro-grams and services. The focus of this camp is not merely on improving the height a rider can clear. Besides regular lessons and training sessions, we have lined up several unique activities to help them acquire important leadership and communication skills. Some of the top riders from CHI Al Shaqab 2019 including Scott Brash, Nicola Philippaert, Marlon Zanotelli and Bassem Mohammed will provide a clinic for the participants.” Tickets for the second and final days of CHI Al Shaqab 2019 are available from www.alshaqab.com and from the venue ticket office.

Al Attiyah re-electedas AEF PresidentQNA DOHA

Hamad bin Abdulrahman Al Attiyah was re-elected by acclamation yesterday as President of the Asian Equestrian Federation (AEF) for a second term, until 2023, at the General Assembly Meeting of the Federation in Doha.

After his win, Al Attiyah expressed pleasure at the confidence of the members of the General Assembly in re-electing him for a second term, promising to do everything that will contribute to the equestrian development in the continent and to continue the work that he started with the AEF members at the previous session.

Al Attiyah has been AEF’s president since July 2017 and has completed the current session and is looking forward to complete the journey he started about 17 months ago to develop and promote equestrian sport in Asia.

The voting process continues in the Assembly for the election of Vice-Presidents and the rest of the members of the Executive Office of the Continental Federation.

Presidentwas re-elected by acclamation yesterdayFederation (AEF) for a second term, Meeting of the Federation in Doha.d pleasure at the confidence of the re-electing him for a second term, contribute to the equestriancontinue the work that he

e previous session.nt since July 2017 ession and isourney he lop and

Belgium’s Jos Verlooy astride Caracas receives his trophy, yesterday.

French rider Julien Epaillard receiving the shield after winning the 150m class at Al Shaqab Arena, yesterday.

French rider Julien Epaillard astride Usual Suspect d’Auge in action, yesterday.

The action yesterday began with the para dressage competition at Al Shaqab Arena. Allowing for fair competition and to create the opportunity for riders of all skills to achieve their goals in equestrian sport, the competition was conducted in grades depending on the disability, according to International Equestrian Federation standards. Participants of the Al Shaqab Inter-nations Camp conducted by the center’s Equine Education Department, had an intense day as the second and final round of qualifications were conducted.

In the lead was Team Barzan - led by Qatari rider Ghanim Nasser Al Qadi with Oliver George Tuff from Great Britain and Abdulaziz Ghanim Al Nuaimi from Qatar also part of the team.

In a fairly close second place was Zekreet, a team comprising Ali Mohammed Al Qadi of Qatar, Gautier Lenoir from France and Henning Josef Athens of Germany.

The best individual timing was achieved by Fraser Hayden Reed, of Great Britain, who completed his course in 66.17 seconds with no faults.

COMPETITION S02 - CSI5* TABLE A (238.2.1) 1.50M

Rank/Rider/Horse Time (Secs) Prize Money

1: Julien Epaillard (FRA)/Virtuose Champeix 58.86 €23375

2: Yuri Mansur (BRA)/Carlson 61.19 €18700

3: Kevin Staut (FRA)/Viking d’La Rousserie 61.43 €14025

4: Karel Cox (BEL)/Evert 61.64 €9350

5: Shane Breen (IRL)/Golden Hawk 61.68 €6545

COMPETITION S01 - CSI5* TWO PHASES (274.1.5.3) 1.45M

Rank/Rider/Horse Time (Secs) Prize Money

1: Jos Verlooy (BEL)/Caracas 33.77 €6,250

2: Geir Gulliksen (NOR)/VDL Groep Quatro 34.93 €5,000

3: Simon Delestre (FRA)/Filou Carlo Zimequest 35.10 €3,750

4: Scott Brash (GBR)/Hello Senator 36.08 €2,500

5: Bart Bles (NED)/Israel V/D Dennehoeve 36.16 €1,750

COMPETITION H1 - AL SHAQAB INTER-NATIONS CAMP

Rank/Rider/Horse Time (secs)

1: Fraser Hayden Reed/Al Maida – Higgs 66.17

2: Khalifa Abdulla Al Khaldi/Al Zubara – Charming Boy 69.73

3: Ali Mohammed Al Qadi/Zekreet – Jalieny Diamant Z 70.52

4: Ghanim Nasser Al Qadi/Barzan – Sidney 71.90

5: Gautier Lenoir/Zekreet – Harvard 64.14

COMPETITION H2: HATHAB EQUESTRIAN TOUR: DRESSAGE LEVEL 1

Rank/Rider/Horse Score

1: Jessica Waldon (GBR)/Lusso Del Castegno 68.621

2: Ali Mohammed Al Marri (QAT)/Fernhill Friendly Touch 66.724

3: Mohammed J M Al Tamemi (QAT)/Silvan 63.793

COMPETITION H2B: HATHAB EQUESTRIAN TOUR: DRESSAGE LEVEL 2

1: Mohammed Salem Al Marri/Gin Tonic Van De Kranenburg 68.214

2: Saoud Mohammed Y A Al Kuwari/Special Edition 19 67.857

3: Ghamim Nasser Al Qadi/Joie De Vivre 67.143