Rider Afif revs to first Cub Prix victory in style

PETALING JAYA: Petronas Sprinta Yamaha – CKR Racing rider Ahmad Afif Amran got his Malaysian Cub Prix Championship season to a sweet start after winning the opening round at the Sepang International Circuit (North) yesterday.

Afif secured the race victory with a time of 14:37.815, followed by Petronas Sprinta Yamaha Maju Motor’s Danial Syahmi Ahmad Shahril in second with 14:37.837s, while Afif’s teammate, Mohd Akid Aziz made it a double podium for the team by taking third with 14:37.851s.

During the race, Danial quickly took the lead, followed closely by teammate Kasma Daniel Kasmayudin, while Akid and Afif followed behind in third and fourth.

With two laps to go, Afif fought his way back up from seventh place to take the lead, only to be overtaken by Maeztro SCK Honda Racing Team’s Mohd Helmi Azman and Mohd Irfan Haykhal Amidi on the final lap.

But Afif kept his cool and worked together with Akid to find space for a final move, and launched a powerful charge to the finish line.

“I want to thank my team who have sacrificed so much for me. From the fasting month through to Hari Raya, they never stopped working to deliver top performance this round. All our hard work paid off.

“The race was really intense. I honestly didn’t expect to be on the podium today because at Sepang, anyone can win.

“My goal was to just finish in the top five, so a podium is a bonus,” said Afif.

ROUND 1 RACE RESULTS

CP150: 1. Ahmad Afif Amran (Petronas Sprinta Yamaha - CKJ Racing) 14:37.815, 2. Danial Syahmi Ahmad Shahril (Petronas Sprinta Yamaha Maju Motor) 14:37.837, 3. Mohd Akid Aziz (Petronas Sprinta Yamaha - CKJ Racing) 14:37.851.

CP125: 1. Mohd Izam Ikmal Izamli (Petronas Sprinta Yamaha - CKJ Racing) 11:20.247, 2. Mohd Haziq Mohd Hamdan (Petronas Sprinta Yamaha - 31 Racing) 11:20.755, 3. Mohd Adie Putra Sukarno (Petronas Sprinta Yamaha Maju Motor) 11:21.115.

WIRA KBS: 1. Raiyan Khardanee Mohd Sanusi (Petronas Sprinta Yamaha - 31 Racing) 10:10.190, 2. Farres Putra Mohd Fadhil (Petronas Sprinta Yamaha - 31 Racing) 10:10.224, 3. Mohd Arrfan Ashraf (Petronas Sprinta Yamaha - 31 Racing) 10:10.493.