A year away may weigh heavily on Khairul after bumpy start in Cub Prix

PETALING JAYA: Khairul Idham Pawi may be the only Malaysian rider who has won on the world championship stage before but now he feels like he’s starting over in the Petronas Malaysia Cub Prix Championship.

After seven years away, Khairul has returned to the national underbone series this season and is competing for SCK Honda Racing Team in the CP150 category.

But the opening race of the season at the Sepang North Track on Sunday proved challenging for the 23-year-old as he finished out of the points.

Khairul settled for 18th position. The Perak-born rider was 17th fastest in qualifying.

“I am taking things one step at a time.

“I took a year off to rest at home after what happened at the world championships, so I am just trying to start (racing) again.

“It’s challenging for me from the first practice. I know I need more time to adapt to the rhythm of this bike.

“Cub Prix is tougher for me due to my body weight, which is far different from the other (lighter) riders.

‘’But I will try my best,” said Khairul, who will also compete in the Asian Road Racing Champion-ship.”

Khairul raced in the Moto2 and Moto3 categories of the world championship from 2016-2020.

Khairul, however, struggled with injuries and form in his final two seasons and found himself without a seat for the 2021 season.

The Cub Prix championship will only resume in May after Hari Raya.