Racing in Losail

Today the best motocross riders in the world will be lined up for the opening GP of the 2017 FIM Motocross World Championship. With 21 former GP winners and 266 GP victories tallied from the MXGP class, this is considered one of the strongest fields the sport has seen.

Shaun Simpson, who is one of the 21 GP winners knows that a consistent night in Qatar will be the perfect start to his season. He also knows that this event is special, and while it isn’t old school, it does have its place in the Grand Prix series.

“Most years I get this question,” Simpson said. “And most years I say the same thing. It’s nice going there, we all enjoy it, I don’t think you can find anyone who goes there and doesn’t like it, nobody is complaining about going there. The layout of the track is ok. I mean the airport is close, the hotels are beautiful. It’s well organized, plenty of money there, the facility is great, the mechanics love it. I think if you compare it to what Indonesia will be like, or Mexico or Argentina, those places are very basic.”

2015 MXGP champion Romain Febvre, just like Simpson loves the experience of Qatar, and knows that while it will be all business on Saturday night, he will also try to enjoy the sunshine and relaxed atmosphere of the city in the desert.

“I’ve always liked Qatar,” Febvre said. “From the very first time we went there. The weather is good and it’s perfect for riding, not too hot during the day and not too cold at night. We always just go for four days, because there isn’t a lot to do there, but they do have nice hotels. I really like the facility, they have everything staying in the garage of the MotoGP. I like riding in the night. Indonesia I have never been there, but some people tell me it’s going to be more humid than Thailand, so that is going to be tough. But it’s like that for everyone, so that is ok.”

Young American Darian Sanayei does have some night racing experience, having raced some supercross events back home. Making his full-time debut in the MX2 class he will attract some attention from his fans back home.

“I don’t know if it’s an advantage,” Sanayei said. “It will be fun, I have been to Monster Cup at night, and some other indoor things. I am just looking forward to racing all the rounds. I just want to be good in qualification, get a good gate pick, and I think if I can get good starts, I can do ok.”

One thing is for sure, both MX2 and MXGP will produce some drama, and excitement, something the opening round of the FIM Motocross World Championship always brings.