Rider Hafizh lights up Sepang to take ASB1000 lead

PETALING JAYA: JDT Racing Team’s Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah was in a class of his own as he roared to victory in Round 5 of the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship at the Sepang International Circuit to seize the ASB1000 lead.

The former MotoGP rider got off to a powerful start in Race 1 under sweltering hot conditions and continued to stay ahead until the finish line in 25:26.781s.

Zaqhwan Zaidi of Idemitsu Honda Racing Malaysia secured second spot at 25:30.043s while Thai rider Nakarin Atiratphuvapat of Honda Racing Thailand finished third at 25:42.950s.

Hafizh now leads the championship standings with 142 points with Zaqhwan trailing behind on 134 points.

Hafizh knew he had the opportunity to pull away after Japan’s Keito Abe of SDG HARC-PRO, who had been hot on the Malaysian’s heels, dropped down the pack after momentarily losing control of the bike.

“Wow, the last four laps were really tough, especially managing the front tyre, it was losing grip many times,” said Hafizh.

“But when I saw Keito drop out, I told myself to stay calm, enjoy the moment and relax.

“I knew Zaqhwan was 4.5 seconds behind, so I focused on maintaining my pace.

“This victory is for the team, my family, our boss, and all the fans who came, including the marshals on the track.

“Racing in these hot conditions, with 41°C air temperature and 60°C for asphalt, wouldn’t have been possible without their support,” said Hafizh.

There were more cheers as Mohd Syarifuddin Azman of Idemitsu Honda Racing Malaysia claimed victory in the SS600 class.

Syarifuddin crossed the line first in 21:57.501s ahead of Kasma Daniel Kasmayudin of Hong Leong Yamaha Racing (21:59.192s).

Thailand’s Anupab Sarmoon of Yamaha Thailand Racing Team snatched third place at 22:04.769s.

RESULTS

RACE 1

ASB1000: 1. Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah (Mas) JDT Racing Team 25:26.781s, 2. Zaqhwan Zaidi (Mas) Idemitsu Honda Racing Malaysia 25:30.04s, 3. Nakarin Atiratphuvapat (Tha) Honda Racing Thailand 25:42.950s.

SS600: 1. Mohd Syarifuddin Azman (Mas) Idemitsu Honda Racing Malaysia 21:57.501s, 2. Kasma Daniel Kasmayudin (Mas) Hong Leong Yamaha Racing 21:59.192s, 3. Anupab Sarmoon (Tha) Yamaha Thailand Racing Team 22:04.769s.

AP250: 1. H. Candra (Ina) Yamaha Racing Indonesia 19:35.572s, 2. Mohd Izam Ikmal (Ina) Victor Racing Team 19:35.730s, 3. Mohd Fadhil Musyavi (Ina) Yamaha Racing Indonesia 19:35.734s.