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Indonesian rider, Andi Farid Izdihar of Honda Asia-Dream Racing with Astemo faced a challenging and frustrating race weekend at the ASB1000 Round 3 IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship held at the Mobility Resort Motegi, Japan. Despite his excellent performance earlier in the season, Round 3 proved to be a significant setback for the talented rider. Andi’s season began on a high note with an excellent performance in Round 1, where he secured second place in Race 1 and claimed victory in Race 2. His momentum continued into Round 2, where he finished in second place in Race 1, before Race 2 was cancelled due to inclement weather. These strong performances kept Andi at the top of the overall standings heading into Round 3. However, the race at Motegi was anything but smooth for Andi. In Race 1, he experienced some issue as early as lap 2, forcing him out of the race and registering a DNF (Did Not Finish). In Race 2, despite a strong effort, he could only manage to finish in P6. These results caused him to drop to third place in the overall standings. “In Race 1, I made a mistake at the start and lost positions, so I pushed hard to regain them, but I lost front grip. In Race 2, I felt good at the beginning, but from the middle to the end of the race, I struggled to open the throttle because the bike was too aggressive. I tried to manage the power mode, but it was still not enough.” Andi expressed his disappointment “It was a difficult weekend for me in Motegi, and I want to forget this round and focus on the next race. We faced challenges that were out of our control, but I am confident that we can bounce back stronger.” When asked about dropping to third place in the overall standings, Andi acknowledged the difficulty but emphasized his determination to reclaim the top spot. “Tough weekend in Motegi, and it’s frustrating to see that we dropped to third in the standings, but I am confident we can collect more points in Mandalika. I can’t wait for Round 4,” he said. Andi’s focus now shifts to the next round at the Pertamina Mandalika International Circuit in Indonesia. As the only Indonesian rider in the ASB1000 category, Andi is eager to shine on home soil and aims for redemption. “Racing at home is a significant advantage. I want to give my best performance and hopefully reclaim the top spot,” he expressed with enthusiasm. Andi expressed his excitement about the challenges ahead. “The championship is becoming more interesting with each round, and I am excited about it. The competition is tough for sure, but I thrive on it,” He also acknowledged the strength of his rivals, Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah of JDT RACING TEAM, Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman of TKKR BMW Racing Team, including his teammates, Nakarin Atiratphuvapat and Md Zaqhwan Zaidi, and the importance of rigorous training. “I knew from the start that this year would be challenging in ASB1000. Everyone is strong, and I have been preparing for this from the beginning.” Moreover, Andi’s love for the Mandalika track further fuels his optimism. “I like the track because it has many fast corners that I enjoy, and my favorite parts are sectors 3 and 4. Racing at Mandalika is special for me, and I am confident that we can deliver a strong performance.” With the support of the home crowd and dedication, Andi is poised to make a remarkable comeback in the upcoming race.

As few expected a 14-year-old to steal the show, Muhammad Kiandra Ramadhipa of the ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM did just that, turning heads with his incredible back-to-back victories in Race 1 and Race 2 of Round 3 IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship. Kiandra’s journey to this moment wasn’t without its successes. The first two rounds saw him secure respectable P5 and P6 finishes, but his performances in Japan were on an entirely different level. The young Indonesian rider had been quietly laying the groundwork for something spectacular. “I dedicated myself to making significant improvements, intensifying both my physical conditioning and bike training before Round 3, and it really showed in my performance. Winning both Race 1 and 2 in Motegi was beyond my wildest dreams, and it made me incredibly happy,” Kiandra said. The backdrop now shifts to Indonesia, where the Pertamina Mandalika International Circuit awaits. This is more than just another race; it’s a homecoming for Kiandra. The buzz around his upcoming performance is palpable, with fans eager to see their local hero shine. “After achieving this result, I now have more confidence in myself heading into the races in Mandalika. But I must stay grounded and avoid overconfidence. I will work even harder for Round 4. I am doing extra practice for the coming Round 4 because I have a cut of 200 rpm, and I must be able to cover this shortcoming,” he stated. Looking ahead, Kiandra’s ambitions are crystal clear. “My plan for Round 4 is to win again. We need to work even harder because my competitors, who are also strong Indonesian riders, are formidable. The only way to succeed is to be stronger than them,” he concluded.