Stormy start to the Qatar test for Tom Lüthi

The Dynavolt Intact GP team has arrived in Doha and has already completed the first of three days of testing. Even though a sandstorm raged in the desert, Tom Lüthi won a positive impression on board his Kalex Triumph machine and was in sixth place.

One week before the eagerly awaited 2019 season opener on the Persian Gulf peninsula of Qatar, the Moto3 and Moto2 classes of the World Motorcycle Championship will be able to complete a final official test at the Losail International Circuit from Friday to Sunday. Despite the stormy conditions on Friday and thus a lot of sand above the 5.4-kilometre desert track, the first day of testing was promising for the Intact GP Kalex riders.

After Tom Lüthi's day started with delay due to a few minor technical obstacles, he immediately set the third fastest time in the second session. Also in the final session the Swiss could improve again with used tyres and finished sixth in the combined classification of day one thanks to his fastest lap, a 2:00.444.

Tom Lüthi

_{Test day 1: 2:00.444 (+0.668) - 40 laps - P6}

We had some technical issues at the start of today, therefore I did not go out too much during the first session. We started late because of the wind. But at the end I was able to go out early enough and we could solve the problem. We worked well during the second session, were able to try a few things and I went out for long stints. The conditions are not really easy here. It is windy and the track is really dirty with all the sand. I have never experienced it that bad before. You can also see how much sand is on the track when you follow someone. But considering the conditions the times are quite fast. There is a lot of potential in these bikes. We were able to work well in the end. I am not happy with the new tyres. With old tyres I am constantly fast, but I can't use the new tyres yet. This means we still have to work with the bike, especially with the balance.

See the full result here: motogp.com