The ASB1000 class looks to have come of age as the riders settle into the new race class. Uncertain weather conditions at the start of Race 1 during the third leg of the 2019 FIM Asia Road Racing Championship at the Chang International Circuit, amped up the level of competition between the riders.
Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman lined up on pole after a strong showing in the morning’s qualifier. A great start pushed the BMW rider into the lead, but the Malaysian lost out to Thai contender Apiwat Wongthananon in the middle of the first lap.
That marked the start of an on-going battle between the two riders while Mohd Zaqhwan Zaidi, Yuki Ito and Broc Parkes fought a battle of their own for P3.
The ASB1000 became a 5-man race on Lap 8. Apiwat had barely succeeded in taking over the lead, hotly chased by Azlan in second, Zaqhwan in third and Yuki Ito fourth.
Even the Thai riders were not immune to the traps of the infamous Turn 12. Apiwat ran wide on Lap 10 and lost two spots as a consequence. As the chequered flag came down on Lap 13, Azlan stormed to the finish line with 21’07.540s followed by Zaqhwan Zaidi in second with 21’08.165s while Apiwat settled for third.
Championship leader Broc Parkes finished fourth – enough to stay at the top of the standings with 85 points. Azlan Shah is now ranked second with 72 points, a single point ahead of Zaqhwan Zaidi.