PETALING JAYA: Givi Honda Yuzy Racing’s Mohd Zaqhwan Zaidi bounced back from a disappointing CP130 race in Muar to set a new lap record in the practice session in Round Three of the Petronas AAM Malaysian Cub Prix Championship.

Zaqhwan, who was forced to retire from last month’s Round Two due to a wrecked engine, proved untouchable at the Stadium Sultan Mizan Gong Badak track in Terengganu on Friday. He was the only rider to dip under the 41-second barrier, clocking an impressive 40.432 seconds to erase the lap record of 40.909 set last season.

Ahmad Fazli Sham of Petronas Yamaha Maju Motor was second fastest in 41.262 while Mohd Affendi Rosli of Petronas Yamaha-CKJ was third quickest in 41.308.

“I am glad we have a strong pace even after the mishap in Muar. The engineers have done a good job in improving the bike back to par,” said Zaqhwan, who is fourth in the overall standings with 25 points.

Harian Metro Y-TEQ SCK Honda Racing’s Mohd Zamri Baba came in fourth fastest in 41.365 while team-mate Norizman Ismail rounded up the top five with a time of 41.465.

In the CP115 category, Tengku Amirul Haffiruddin of Motul Yamaha YY Pang posted the fastest lap. The Terengganu rider impressed the home crowd with an impressive 41.551 to finish ahead of Elly Idzlianizar Ilias (41.626) of M Seki Liberty Honda and Mohd Izzat Zaidi Salehan (41.687).

“It is a huge motivation to race in front of my family and friends here. I hope we can maintain the momentum. It would make a great follow-up to my podium finish in Batu Kawan (Round One) and my victory in Muar,” said Tengku Amirul.

Mohd Afiki Supaat of Jetron Apido Team PJM surprisingly outpaced the usual frontrunners to clock the quickest time in the age-capped Wira class.

Afiki, who claimed his career’s first podium in Muar, clocked 42.446, 0.094 seconds ahead of Kozi Yam Honda Racing’s Mohd Harith Farhan Baharin. Felda PbaFb Tech Racing’s Fairuz Nasir was third in 42.567.