PETALING JAYA: Young rider Qabil Irfan (pic) is getting used to standing on top in the Spanish Superbike Championship (ESBK) after taking back-to-back wins over the weekend in Jerez, Spain.
The 13-year-old from Kuala Terengganu clinched victory once again in Race 2 at the Jerez Circuit by crossing the line in 26:08.299s, ahead of Spain’s Izan Rodriguez (+0.403s) and Andres Garcia (+12.562s).
It was a duplicate of Saturday’s Race 1 podium, which Qabil also won after completing the 14-lap race in 26:22.845s in front of Rodriguez and Garcia.
Qabil knew that Rodriguez was going to be his closest competitor, as the Spaniard was also less than a second away from Qabil when crossing the line for Race 1.
Starting the race on pole, Qabil’s advantage faded in the early stages after Rodriguez passed him and took the lead.
But Qabil stayed patient until the very last moment as he made a daring lunge in the final corners to overtake Rodriguez and secure his double victory in Jerez.
“Before the race I knew that Izan (Rodriguez) was going to be very close.
“In the final lap, I had to overtake to win and I went for it. And I’m glad to walk away with the win,” said Qabil, who races for the Spanish team VHC Frando Racing, the same team he competed with in the Moto4 category last season.
“I want to say thanks to my team who have been working hard in making sure everything goes smoothly for me on track.’’
The back-to-back victory wraps up a stellar start to Qabil’s campaign in Europe this season, which will continue in Barcelona in June.
