Evgeny Bobryshev took a decisive victory in today’s qualifying race for the first Grand Prix of the season; the MXGP of Qatar.

Feeling refreshed and renewed after an off-season in which he changed his regime, and coming off the back his title in the Italian International MX series, Bobby stormed to the first holeshot of the year and didn’t look back.

The Russian led every lap on the CRF450RW, looking very comfortable in control of the 20-minute race, and crossed the line 1.8seconds ahead of Honda and HRC stable-mate Tim Gajser making his MXGP debut aboard the Gariboldi machine.

Having been fastest in the Timed Practice session earlier in the evening, Gautier Paulin just missed his start and, as a result, found himself in the pack battling for position with no clear laps. Nevertheless, the Frenchman fought through to sixth.

The results determine the gate pick for tomorrow races, the first of which starts at 1815hrs local time beneath the floodlights of Losail.

Evgeny Bobryshev 777

1st

“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.”

Gautier Paulin 21

6th

“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.”

Roger Harvey

HRC General Manager - MXGP

“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.”

MXGP 2016
Qualifying Round 1   Qatar

Results Session

Night
Air Temp
18°C
Track Cond
Hard
Pos. Rider Num Nation Team Constructor Time/Gap
Location Information

Losail International Circuit, Al Daayen, Qatar - View in Google Maps