Saudi Arabian rider Abdulaziz Binladen was crowned UAE sport bike champion on the final day of the 2013/2014 season at Dubai Autodrome on Friday after powering to victory in both races aboard his Liberty Kawasaki.
Mahmoud Tannir relinquished his crown after a feisty battle in Race 1, challenging Binladen for the lead before he slipped out of the race. He bounced back to finish third in Race 2.
Gernot Dobida finished second in the first race. Erikas Savickas was runner-up in Race 2. Rookie Cup champion Michael Collins won both his races.
“It feels really good to be UAE champion,” Binladen said. “I’d like to thank Liberty Kawasaki for their support and my team for consistently having a good bike to ride.”
In the NGK Racing Series, Gulf Petrochem teammates Coastas Papantonis and Alexandros Annivas had already wrapped up the Class 1 and Clio Cup titles.
The real focus was on the Class 2 title-deciding battle, where Honda pair Jonathan Mullan and Rupesh Channake, and Renault driver Annivas topped the points standings going into the final two races with double points up for grabs.
It was a tense two races, but when the final chequered flag dropped Mullan’s two victories were enough to crown him Class 2 champion, with Annivas second and Channake third.
“It was a tough season but the quality remained, with proof being the two titles only decided on the very last day,” said Richard Birch, general manager of Dubai Autodrome. “Congratulations to the champions, all of them deserving of the accolades for their hard work and commitment.”
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