Bobryshev wins opening qualifying race in Qatar

“I’m really happy with today. We’ve been working really hard these last weeks on starts, and today the start was good. In the race I felt a little tight on the bike because I haven’t ridden for the last five days so I was getting a little bit of arm pump, and I made a few mistakes and lost some seconds to Gajser. I had good speed though and I could control the race until the end so I’m really happy – it’s just qualifying but it’s a good way to start the season.”

“I missed my start. I had the fastest time in the Timed Practice and I wanted to start on the first gate, and actually under my gate there was a little hole so I lost traction. From that point it made my race really hard, but here sixth on the gate will be enough. It was slippery because they watered the track a lot so at the start to get out of the line to pass was really muddy. It’s funny – a muddy race in the desert. But anyway the speed is good and I’m feeling ok.”

“A really good result today. Everybody’s worked hard in the winter on everything, and the riders on the physical preparation, so we’re happy. Ok, it’s qualifying, but if you’re going to start the season one way, then that’s a good way to start it. Bobby showing exactly what Bobby can do is great to see. GP just missed the start and then had to fight back through some traffic, but sixth will be fine for him tomorrow and we saw in the Timed Practice that his speed is good. Tim also rode very well, but we expected him to mix it from the start.”