Typhoon warning spoils Hafizh’s plan to claim double win in Zhuhai

PETALING JAYA: It was a downer for Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) Racing Team rider Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah after all races scheduled for the second day of Round 2 of the Asia Road Racing Championship (ARRC) at Zhuhai International Circuit in China were cancelled due to a typhoon warning yesterday.

Hafizh, riding a Ducati Panigale, was looking the most dominant rider out there having set the fastest lap and won Race 1 on Saturday from pole position.

The 29-year-old had high hopes of claiming a double but all racing activities had to be called off after the Municipal Meteorological Observatory upgraded the yellow warning signal of rainstorm to orange at 10am while retaining the yellow warning signal of thunderstorm and gale, which calls for suspension of outdoor work and activities.

“Our partners and teams regret to announce the cancellation. However, priority is given to the safety of riders, teams, workforce and spectators of ARRC and we apologise for the inconvenience caused.

“Thank you to all those directly and indirectly impacted including riders, teams, partners, sponsors, media friends and fans for the continuous support,” the organisers said in a statement.