SS600 is often dominated by young riders eager to push to the absolute limit, but 33-year-old Anupab Sarmoon is quietly dismantling the competition with pure tactical patience. The YAMAHA THAILAND RACING TEAM veteran arrives at the PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit, Malaysia for Round 5 of FIM Asia Road Racing Championship 2026 this weekend as a key contender, carrying strong momentum after a crucial breakthrough.
Anupab’s championship campaign gained serious traction during the previous round at the Mandalika International Circuit, Indonesia. While his rivals fought hard at the front, Anupab delivered a masterclass in race management, ultimately securing his first victory of the season in Race 2. That win has tightened the title landscape. Heading into this weekend’s Malaysian double-header, he sits third in the rider standings, tied on points for second place, and trailing the overall championship leader by a mere nine points.
Rather than feeling the pressure of the championship race, the Thai rider is thriving on the positive atmosphere within his camp. “The team is working exceptionally well right now. My crew and I understand each other on a profound level, and we are completely aligned in our approach to this title fight. That mutual trust breeds confidence, and I firmly believe things will go very well for us at Sepang.”
His recent success highlights the value of staying calm when the racing gets chaotic. “Age brings a different kind of advantage in this class. Instead of getting caught up in the frantic early laps, I rely on a steady, highly measured approach. I deliberately avoid reckless skirmishes, preserving my tires and energy. I just wait, observe, and look for the exact right moment at the end to seal the deal.”
Translating his winning Mandalika pace to the wide layout and long straights of Sepang will be the team’s primary technical hurdle. “The base setup we built in Indonesia is excellent, but Sepang has its own unique character. The demands aren’t radically different, but we definitely need to tweak a few things to handle the track. I’ll get a true feel for the adjustments during Friday’s first practice session. Honestly, I love riding this circuit, our historical data here is good, and I think we are absolutely ready.”
Even with the championship standings so close, there is no secret strategy for Anupab this weekend. He is keeping his game plan incredibly simple, relying on nothing but a straightforward push for the top spot across both races. “My focus is just to score as many points as possible. I am going to fight hard for them out on the track. I want to be ranked first after this round.”