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KRITTAPAT, FLAWLESS DOUBLE

2026, 2026 Round 1, Asia Production 250, Latest News /

Round 1 of the IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship 2026 roared to life at the Sepang International Circuit, Malaysia, where Thailand’s Krittapat Keankum of YAMAHA THAILAND RACING TEAM delivered a commanding performance to clinch victory in Race 2 of the AP250 class, securing his first double win of the season in emphatic fashion. At the start, Candra H of YAMAHA RACING INDONESIA and Rheza Danica Ahrens of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM launched brilliantly off the line, with Riichi Takahira of Tianyu Asia Racing MFZ settling into third ahead of Race 1 winner Krittapat. However, it did not take long for Krittapat to assert his authority, slicing through the field to take control and immediately begin building a gap. By Lap 2, Krittapat had already stretched his advantage to just 0.817s over Galang Hendra Pratama of YAMAHA BAF YAMALUBE AKAI JAYA, while Fahmi Basam of YAMAHA LFN HP969 INDONESIA RACING TEAM surged past Riichi to move into contention. The intensity behind the leader continued to rise, but Krittapat remained untouchable. On Lap 3, Fahmi clocked the fastest lap of 2’26.388s to briefly move into second, only for Galang to respond and reclaim the position. One lap later, Krittapat answered with authority, setting a blistering 2’24.677s to maintain a safe buffer, as Riichi regrouped in second, trailing by 2.695s. As the race entered its middle phase, Krittapat’s dominance became increasingly evident. By Lap 5, he had extended his lead to around 3 seconds, while Rheza applied pressure on Riichi in the fight for second. Behind them, Muhammad Fadhil Musyavi and Candra engaged in a fierce battle for fourth, adding further drama to an already action-packed race. Lap 6 saw another shift in the order as Rheza executed a decisive move to overtake Riichi for second, but by then, Krittapat had surged even further ahead, stretching his advantage to nearly 4 seconds. The chasing pack continued to shuffle positions, with Candra and Riichi trading places, while Panjaruch Chitwirulchat of HONDA RACING THAILAND steadily climbed through the ranks. Heading into the final lap, Krittapat was in a league of his own, commanding a 5.410s lead. Behind him, chaos unfolded as Fahmi suddenly raised his hand due to a technical issue, dropping out of contention and leaving a six-rider battle for the remaining podium spots. In a dramatic run to the line, Rheza timed his move to perfection, surging ahead on the final straight to claim second place in 19’38.912s, just 0.076s ahead of Candra, who secured third at 19’38.988s. Unchallenged at the front, Krittapat crossed the chequered flag in a dominant 19’33.870s, sealing a flawless weekend and celebrating his first double victory of the 2026 season. Krittapat said, “In the beginning of the race, I was quite nervous, especially with the possibility of rain. But then I told myself to stay focused and just go for it. It’s hard to put my feelings into words, but I’m determined to keep pushing and continue doing my best.” TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 2 1. KRITTAPAT KEANKUM – YAMAHA THAILAND RACING TEAM (19’33.870s) 2. RHEZA DANICA AHRENS – ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM (19’38.912s) 3. CANDRA H – YAMAHA RACING INDONESIA (19’38.988s) 4. PANJARUCH CHITWIRULCHAT – HONDA RACING THAILAND (19’39.008s) 5. MUHAMMAD FADHIL MUSYAVI – YAMAHA RACING INDONESIA (19’39.028s)

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HUSNI CLINCHES EPIC BATTLE

2026, 2026 Round 1, Latest News, Underbone 150 /

Round 1 of the IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship 2026 delivered a breathtaking Race 2 in the UB150 class at the Sepang International Circuit, as Malaysia’s Husni Zainul Fuadzy of ZIEAR LFN HP969 ADELIN MCR RBT34 produced a sensational last-corner move to clinch victory in a fiercely contested and unpredictable race. At the start, John Emerson Inguito of 4S1M EVO YAMAHA Racing Team launched strongly to take the early lead, with Gupita Kresna Wardhana of ZIEAR LFN HP969 ADELIN MCR RBT34 and Dimas Juli Atmoko of HJS YOUNGSTAR KAWAHARA RCTH SIXTY slotting into second and third respectively. The nature of UB150 racing quickly came into play, with the leading pack forming tightly from the opening laps. By Lap 2, the front group had evolved into a multi-rider battle featuring Dimas, Husni, Muhammad Adib Arsyad Mohd Hisam of UMA RACING YAMAHA MAJU MOTOR TEAM, and Shahrol Syazras Shahrol Yuzy of YUZY ASIA TEAM, all exchanging positions in rapid succession. The intensity remained high on Lap 3, with Dimas, Gupita, Adib, and Husni continuing to swap the lead in a classic UB150 slipstream showdown. Lap 4 saw further drama as Fadli Rigani of YAMAHA LFN HP969 INDONESIA RACING TEAM went down but managed to rejoin, while Inguito returned to the front ahead of Husni and Nazirul Izzat Md Bahauddin of UMA RACING YAMAHA MAJU MOTOR TEAM. Moments later, Nazirul was forced to slow down and signal a technical issue, dropping out of contention and reshuffling the leading order once again. By Lap 5, the fight intensified with Adib, Syazras, Dimas, Husni, and Gupita locked in a relentless battle, all within striking distance as the race headed toward a dramatic conclusion. The final lap delivered absolute chaos. Crashes involving Dimas and Kiki Sudarman Manurung of JPNW SND FACTORY RACING shook up the front group, while M. Syirat Sauki also went down but managed to rejoin, albeit out of podium contention. As Syazras led into the final corner, victory seemed within reach, until Husni executed a perfectly timed move, diving through in the last turn. April King Mascardo of and Aqshal Ilham Safatulah of ONE FOR ALL followed through in the shuffle, pushing Syazras off the podium in a stunning finish. Husni crossed the line in 17’10.568s, just 0.114s ahead of Mascardo, with Aqshal a further 0.056s behind, sealing a dramatic all-out sprint to the chequered flag. Husni said, “I would like to thank my boss and everyone involved in the team for their hard work and support. Before the TVS race earlier, I was actually hoping for rain, and Alhamdulillah, that wish came true. The wet conditions really worked in my favor, and I felt quite comfortable in Race 2. It’s a good start to the round, and I’m happy with how things turned out.” TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 2 1. HUSNI ZAINUL FUADZY – ZIEAR LFN HP969 ADELIN MCR RBT34 (17’10.568s) 2. APRIL KING MASCARDO – RACETECH YAMAHA PHILIPPINES RACING TEAM (17’10.682s) 3. AQSHAL ILHAM SAFATULAH – ONE FOR ALL (17’10.738s) 4. SHAHROL SYAZRAS SHAHROL YUZY – YUZY ASIA TEAM (17’10.940s) 5. MD SILMI HELSINKY – ONE FOR ALL (17’10.952s)

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RAMDAN SHINES IN WET SHOWDOWN

2026, 2026 Round 1, Latest News, TVS Asia One Make /

Round 1 of the IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship 2026 delivered a dramatic and rain-affected Race 2 in the TVS Racing International Championship at the Sepang International Circuit, Malaysia, where Malaysia’s Mohd Ramdan Rosli produced a commanding wet-weather performance to secure a sensational victory on home soil. Under light but tricky rain conditions, Ramdan wasted no time asserting control, launching brilliantly off the line to seize the lead ahead of Indonesia’s Fadil Algassani Priyadi. Early drama unfolded as India’s Chiranth Vishwanath crashed out, setting the tone for a race that would demand precision over outright speed. By Lap 2, Ramdan had already begun to stretch his advantage, opening up a 1.172s gap over Fadil, while India’s Sarthak Chavan slotted into third ahead of Spain’s Luis Miguel and Malaysia’s Md Naqib Rifqi. The front three quickly broke away, building a two-second cushion over the chasing pack. However, the treacherous conditions claimed more victims, as Nixon Keith Frost from New Zealand crashed, followed moments later by Fadil, who suffered a high-side incident. Lap 3 brought further chaos, with Rakshith Shihari Dave from India also going down, underlining the demanding nature of the wet track where technique proved crucial. Up front, Ramdan remained composed and in complete control. By Lap 4, the Malaysian star had extended his lead to 3.633s over Sarthak, while behind them, Naqib made a bold move to overtake Luis for third. Unfortunately, his charge ended abruptly with a crash at the final corner, denying the home crowd another contender in podium contention. As the race entered its closing stages, Ramdan showcased his experience, maintaining a consistent rhythm and gradually increasing his advantage. By Lap 5, he had stretched the gap to five seconds over Sarthak, with Luis holding steady in third. On the final lap, Ramdan delivered a flawless finish, crossing the line in 16’03.931s, an emphatic 8.336s clear of Sarthak, who secured second place at 16’12.267s. The battle for third saw Luis narrowly fending off Tyler King from New Zealand, who finished just 0.164s behind, as Luis claimed the final podium spot at 16’16.297s. Ramdan said, “Winning in Malaysia is always my dream, and it’s always a special memory to win here every year. I want to thank TVS Racing and the crew, the last-minute setup work was really good. From the first time I went out on track, I felt this could be my race. “In the second lap, I tried to create a gap and when I saw a small margin behind, I kept pushing a bit more to extend it. My strategy worked well, and to win again on home soil in front of the Malaysian fans is truly special. Thank you to everyone who came and supported me. I’ll stay focused for the next round in Buriram.” TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 2 1. MOHD RAMDAN ROSLI – MALAYSIA (16’03.931s) 2. SARTHAK CHAVAN – INDIA (16’12.267s) 3. LUIS MIGUEL – SPAIN (16’16.297s) 4. TYLER KING – NEW ZEALAND (16’16.461s) 5. ORATILWE PHIRI – SOUTH AFRICA (16’17.603s)

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HAFIZH DOMINATES SEASON OPENER

2026, 2026 Round 1, Asia Superbike 1000, Latest News /

Round 1 of the IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship 2026 roared into life at the Sepang International Circuit, Malaysia, with Malaysia’s Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah of JDT RACING TEAM delivering a commanding Race 1 victory in the ASB1000 class, leading a sensational double podium finish for the team. Hafizh made a phenomenal launch off the line, immediately seizing control of the race ahead of Lachlan Epis of SWIFT GROW RACING TEAM and Muhammad Zaqhwan Zaidi of IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA. Close behind were Nakarin Atiratphuvapat of HONDA RACING THAILAND and Keito Abe of SDG HARC-PRO. HONDA PHILIPPINES, as the front group quickly formed under intense early pressure. By Lap 2, Hafizh had already broken clear with a 1.771s advantage, while Zaqhwan and Keito moved past Lachlan in a fierce battle for position. On Lap 3, Hafizh underlined his dominance by clocking a blistering fastest lap of 2’05.677s with a top speed of 284.2 km/h, stretching his lead further as Keito advanced to second ahead of Zaqhwan. Drama unfolded on Lap 4 when Lachlan crashed out in a high-side incident, while Hafizh continued to build his advantage, now 2.636s clear of Keito. Behind them, the battle intensified with Azroy Hakeem Anuar and Nakarin trading positions, as Andi Farid Izdihar of JDT RACING TEAM steadily climbed into contention. From Lap 5 onwards, Hafizh was in a league of his own, consistently extending his lead beyond the three-second mark. By Lap 10, the gap had grown to 4.788 seconds, while Andi surged past Azroy to move into fourth, setting up a late-race charge. The closing stages saw Andi continue his impressive pace, eventually overtaking Zaqhwan to secure third place, completing a strong showing for JDT RACING TEAM. Up front, Hafizh remained untouchable, crossing the line in a commanding 29’32.797s, 5.370 seconds ahead of Keito, who finished second at 29’36.823s. Andi sealed the final podium position at 29’38.088s, marking a perfect start to the season for the team. Hafizh said, “I’m still not really happy with my pace because I was targeting consistent 2’05 mid to high, but I can be satisfied with the result. From the first lap, I already had a good gap, so I focused on understanding where I can improve further for Race 2. Even though it looked comfortable, I won’t relax because my competitors will come back stronger tomorrow. Physically, it wasn’t easy. I felt quite tired after qualifying session. My heart rate went up to 206, and I lost a lot of fluids. During the race, I just told myself to stay relaxed and enjoy it, and in the end, it paid off. A P1 and P3 for the team is a very good start.” TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 1 1. HAFIZH SYAHRIN ABDULLAH – JDT RACING TEAM (29’32.797s) 2. KEITO ABE – SDG HARC-PRO. HONDA PHILIPPINES (29’36.823s) 3. ANDI FARID IZDIHAR – JDT RACING TEAM (29’38.088s) 4. AZROY HAKEEM ANUAR – IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA (29’40.696s) 5. MUHAMMAD ZAQHWAN ZAIDI – IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA (29’44.378s)

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HELMI REIGNS AS KING OF SEPANG

2026, 2026 Round 1, Latest News, Supersports 600 /

Round 1 of the IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship 2026 delivered a gripping Race 1 in the SS600 class at the Sepang International Circuit, Malaysia, where home hero Muhammad Helmi Azman of IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA rose above early setbacks to secure a hard-fought victory in front of the home crowd. The drama began even before lights out, as Muhammad Faerozi Toreqottullah of YAMAHA RACING INDONESIA was forced to retire during the warm-up lap due to a technical issue. Once the race got underway, Thanat Laoongplio of HONDA RACING THAILAND made a lightning start to lead the pack, followed by Wahyu Nugroho of YAMAHA RACING INDONESIA and Malaysia’s Khairul Idham Pawi. However, Khairul wasted no time asserting himself, quickly surging into the lead. By Lap 2, Khairul led the charge, with Anupab Sarmoon just 0’141s behind, followed by Wahyu and Thanat, while Helmi had worked his way into fifth ahead of 2025 champion Kasma Daniel Kasmayudin of HONG LEONG YAMAHA RACING. The battle intensified on Lap 3 when Anupab clocked the fastest lap of 2’11.198s to take over the lead, only for Khairul to respond immediately and reclaim the position. The relentless exchanges continued into Lap 4, where Helmi made a decisive move up the order, overtaking Wahyu to place himself firmly in podium contention behind Khairul and Anupab. Lap 5 marked a turning point in the race. While Anupab made another move on Khairul, Helmi capitalised brilliantly, slipping through unnoticed to seize the lead. From there, the Malaysian began to dictate the pace, with Anupab and Khairul in pursuit and Herjun Atna Firdaus of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM joining the leading group. Helmi maintained control on Lap 6, as Herjun posted the fastest lap of 2’11.120s to close in, while the top five remained tightly packed. On Lap 7, Helmi responded emphatically with a fastest lap of 2’10.828s, holding off relentless pressure from Anupab, Khairul, Wahyu, and Herjun. The pace intensified further on Lap 8, with Anupab hitting top speeds of 250 km/h and setting the fastest lap of 2’10.728s, but Helmi remained composed at the front. The race took another dramatic twist on Lap 9 when Khairul crashed out at Turn 4 while chasing second, promoting Wahyu and Herjun up the order. Heading into the final lap, Helmi led the charge ahead of Anupab, with Herjun moving past Wahyu into third. McKinley Kyle Paz of HONG LEONG YAMAHA RACING joined the top five as the battle reached its climax. Despite immense pressure from Anupab throughout the final sector, Helmi held his nerve and crossed the line in 21’58.392s, sealing a sensational victory and reaffirming his reputation as the “King of Sepang.” Anupab finished just 0.293s behind at 21’58.685s, while Herjun completed the podium at 22’02.372s after a consistent and determined ride. Helmi said, “From the test day, I struggled a lot with my bike because this year we are using a new ECU, so we had to start from zero and couldn’t rely on last year’s data. Even in qualifying, the bike had no power due to an issue with the ECU. But for the race, we worked hard to improve, and Alhamdulillah, we managed to fix it. I also crashed this morning at the beginning of qualifying, which affected my confidence, but I told myself to stay focused and calm. In the end, I achieved this result, and it means a lot because this is my dream when I come here. I want to thank my team for their hard work, and also ask everyone to pray for my chief mechanic, Fahmi. He couldn’t be here, I miss him, and I hope he recovers and returns for the next round.” TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 1 1. MUHAMMAD HELMI AZMAN – IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA (21’58.392s) 2. ANUPAB SARMOON – YAMAHA THAILAND RACING TEAM (21’58.685s) 3. HERJUN ATNA FIRDAUS – ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM (22’02.372s) 4. WAHYU NUGROHO – YAMAHA RACING INDONESIA (22’02.594s) 5. MCKINLEY KYLE PAZ – HONG LEONG YAMAHA RACING (22’04.564s)

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KRITTAPAT CONQUERS CHAOTIC BATTLE

2026, 2026 Round 1, Asia Production 250, Latest News /

Round 1 of the IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship 2026 delivered edge-of-the-seat drama at the Sepang International Circuit, Malaysia, as Race 1 of the AP250 class unfolded into a high-intensity showdown, with Thailand’s Krittapat Keankum of YAMAHA THAILAND RACING TEAM emerging victorious after a race packed with incidents, lead changes, and last-lap heartbreak. The race began with a blistering start from Rheza Danica Ahrens of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM, who immediately took control ahead of Candra H of YAMAHA RACING INDONESIA. However, the order quickly shifted as Riichi Takahira of Tian yu Asia Racing MFZ and Fahmi Basam of YAMAHA LFN HP969 INDONESIA RACING TEAM surged into contention. Early drama struck as Muhd Jazzil Juraimi of TEAM ACR was forced to retire due to a technical issue. By Lap 2, the leading group intensified, with Rheza holding firm ahead of Fahmi, Candra, and Riichi, while Krittapat began working his way forward. Thailand’s Panjaruch Chitwirulchat of HONDA RACING THAILAND made a decisive move to the front, overtaking Rheza to seize the lead. Moments later, chaos unfolded as Riichi and Candra collided and crashed, followed shortly by Galang Hendra Pratama, dramatically reshaping the race. Lap 3 saw Panjaruch and Rheza locked in a fierce duel for the lead, swapping positions corner by corner. Krittapat settled into third, with Fahmi and Muh. Badly Ayatullah M of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM keeping close contact in a tightly packed front group. The momentum shifted again on Lap 4 as Krittapat surged into the lead ahead of Panjaruch and Rheza, showcasing strong pace and control. However, the relentless exchanges continued, and by Lap 6, the front group remained inseparable, with Fahmi, Badly, Panjaruch, and Rheza all taking turns at the front before Krittapat reclaimed the lead. On Lap 7, Badly made a bold move to take control, but Krittapat responded immediately, clocking the fastest lap of the race at 2’24.971s to stay firmly in contention as the race built towards a dramatic finale. The final lap delivered pure chaos. Krittapat briefly regained the lead, only for Panjaruch to strike back, with Rheza also forcing his way into second. Badly, who had been a key contender, crashed out, while Krittapat once again fought his way to the front. Fahmi moved into second with Rheza in third, setting up a tense final sector. In a heartbreaking twist, Fahmi crashed out at the final turn while pushing for victory, leaving the door wide open. Krittapat seized the moment and powered across the finish line in 19’32.842s to secure a hard-fought win. Gerry Salim of MsGlowForMen Racing Team capitalised to take second, just 0.269s behind at 19’33.111s, while Malaysia’s Md Danial Syahmi Ahmad Shahril claimed third at 19’33.171s, much to the delight of the home crowd. Krittapat said, “On the last lap, I knew what I had to do. I’m really thankful to my team for their support, and also to my family. This victory means a lot to me.” TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 1 1. KRITTAPAT KEANKUM – YAMAHA THAILAND RACING TEAM (19’32.842s) 2. GERRY SALIM – MsGlowForMen Racing Team (19’33.111s) 3. MD DANIAL SYAHMI AHMAD SHAHRIL – UMA RACING YAMAHA MAJU MOTOR ASIA TEAM (19’33.171s) 4. PANJARUCH CHITWIRULCHAT – HONDA RACING THAILAND (19’33.237s) 5. RHEZA DANICA AHRENS – ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM (19’33.439s)

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GUPITA STEALS SEPANG SHOWDOWN

2026, 2026 Round 1, Latest News, Underbone 150 /

Round 1 of the IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship 2026 ignited the Sepang International Circuit, Malaysia, with a breathtaking Race 1 in the UB150 class, as Indonesia’s Gupita Kresna Wardhana of ZIEAR LFN HP969 ADELIN MCR RBT34 delivered a perfectly timed final-lap charge to snatch victory in one of the most fiercely contested races of the day. The race burst into life with John Emerson Inguito of 4S1M EVO YAMAHA Racing Team launching into the lead, ahead of teammate Rendi Odding, Wahyu Aji Trilaksana of HJS YOUNGSTAR KAWAHARA RCTH SIXTY, and April King Mascardo of RACETECH YAMAHA PHILIPPINES RACING TEAM. As expected in UB150 fashion, the order began to reshuffle almost immediately. By Lap 2, Shahrol Syazras Shahrol Yuzy of YUZY ASIA TEAM briefly took control before being displaced in a rapidly evolving lead group. Nazirul Izzat Md Bahauddin of UMA RACING YAMAHA MAJU MOTOR TEAM surged to the front, but was instantly put under pressure by Gupita, with the two riders trading positions in an intense early duel. Close behind, Dimas Juli Atmoko of HJS YOUNGSTAR KAWAHARA RCTH SIXTY and Ahmad Darwisy Ahmad Sahir of YUZY ASIA TEAM remained firmly in contention as the pack stayed tightly bunched. Lap 3 saw Nazirul hold the lead, but Gupita signalled his intent by clocking the fastest lap of 2’42.509s, continuing to pile pressure on the front. Adytya Fauzi of JPNW SND FACTORY RACING, Dimas, and John all maintained their positions within the leading group, with no rider able to break clear. The momentum shifted again on Lap 4 when John responded with a blistering 2’35.920s to lead the group, only for Nazirul to immediately capitalise on an opening to retake the position, with Rendi following closely behind as the race intensified. Heading into the final two laps, the battle reached boiling point. No fewer than five riders remained locked together, with Wahyu emerging at the front ahead of April, Husni Zainul Fuadzy of ZIEAR LFN HP969 ADELIN MCR RBT34, Fadli Rigani of YAMAHA LFN HP969 INDONESIA RACING TEAM, and Dimas, as the leading pack prepared for a decisive final lap shootout. In a dramatic final lap, Wahyu and Dimas initially led the charge, but from the shadows, Gupita executed a masterful surge through the pack. Timing his move to perfection, he sliced through the field and powered out of the final corners to clinch victory in 15’50.980s. Dimas crossed the line just 0.002s behind in 15’50.982s, while Husni secured third place at 15’51.039s, completing a double podium for ZIEAR LFN HP969 ADELIN MCR RBT34. Wahyu and Rendi rounded out the top five after an all-out battle to the chequered flag. Gupita said, “I want to thank my parents, my wife, my children, and my team for supporting me until I could be on the podium today. During the race, I tried to stay safe at the back, but in the middle stages I began working my way forward. I believed I could reach the front group, and on the final lap I made my move and went for the win. I’m very grateful, and it’s even more special to share the podium with my teammate, Husni.” TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 1 1. GUPITA KRESNA WARDHANA – ZIEAR LFN HP969 ADELIN MCR RBT34 (15’50.980s) 2. DIMAS JULI ATMOKO – HJS YOUNGSTAR KAWAHARA RCTH SIXTY (15’50.982s) 3. HUSNI ZAINUL FUADZY – ZIEAR LFN HP969 ADELIN MCR RBT34 (15’51.039s) 4. WAHYU AJI TRILAKSANA – HJS YOUNGSTAR KAWAHARA RCTH SIXTY (15’51.413s) 5. RENDI ODDING – 4S1M EVO YAMAHA Racing Team (15’51.443s)

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SARTHAK STRIKES BACK

2026, 2026 Round 1, Latest News, TVS Asia One Make /

Round 1 of the IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship 2026 roared into life at the Sepang International Circuit, Malaysia, as the TVS Racing International Championship delivered a breathtaking Race 1, with India’s Sarthak Chavan emerging victorious after a dramatic final-lap showdown. The race exploded into action with Pedrinho Matos from Portugal launching off the line in spectacular fashion, instantly breaking away from the pack. Malaysia’s Mohd Ramdan Rosli gave chase in second, followed by compatriot Md Naqib Rifqi, while India’s Rakshith Shihari Dave and Sarthak slotted into the early top five. However, the race took an early twist as Pedrinho crashed out, along with India’s KY Ahamed, reshuffling the order. By Lap 2, Ramdan seized control at the front, with Naqib and Sarthak in close pursuit. Md Haziq Md Fairues joined the leading battle alongside Spain’s Luis Miguel, before the latter suffered a crash, further intensifying the fight at the front. Naqib attempted an aggressive move on Ramdan but the Malaysian responded calmly to reclaim the lead. The intensity ramped up on Lap 3 as Ramdan continued to lead ahead of Naqib and Haziq, while Sarthak dropped to fourth. Demonstrating strong pace, Haziq clocked the fastest lap of 2’23.459s, keeping the pressure firmly on the leaders. As the race entered Lap 5, a tight lead group had formed, featuring Ramdan, Naqib, Haziq, Sarthak, and South Africa’s Oratilwe Phiri, all separated by mere fractions as the battle for victory remained wide open. The final lap delivered pure drama. Naqib surged into the lead ahead of Ramdan and Haziq, but Sarthak carved his way through the pack with clinical precision. In a nail-biting sequence of overtakes, he went head-to-head with Naqib, while Ramdan and Haziq remained locked in contention just behind. Heading into the final corner, Haziq briefly took the lead but ran wide, opening the door for Sarthak to unleash a decisive run to the finish. The Indian rider powered across the line in 14’27.477s, securing a sensational victory. Ramdan followed just 0.044s behind in 14’27.521s, with Haziq completing the podium a further 0.058s adrift at 14’27.579s. Sarthak said, “I will try my best again tomorrow, but today I really enjoyed the race. After many races and many P2 finishes, I’m finally back to P1, so it feels really good. I didn’t have the best start, but I managed to stay with the leaders and keep up the pace. In the end, I was able to make the move and finish P1. Thank you to everyone for the support. Tomorrow, the target remains the same, it’s to win again. Hearing the national anthem of India today makes me very happy.” TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 1 1. SARTHAK CHAVAN – INDIA (14’27.477s) 2. MOHD RAMDAN ROSLI – MALAYSIA (14’27.521s) 3. MD HAZIQ MD FAIRUES – MALAYSIA (14’27.579s) 4. MD NAQIB RIFQI – MALAYSIA (14’27.949s) 5. ORATILWE PHIRI – SOUTH AFRICA (14’33.065s)

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HAFIZH STAMPS AUTHORITY

2026, 2026 Round 1, Asia Superbike 1000, Latest News /

The opening round of the IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship 2026 continued to deliver high-intensity action today at the Sepang International Circuit, Malaysia, where reigning 2025 ASB1000 Champion Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah of JDT RACING TEAM asserted his authority by topping the combined practice times in the premier class. Hafizh immediately stamped his presence in Practice 1 with a strong lap of 2’06.365s, edging out Mohammad Adenanta Putra of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM, who posted 2’06.799s. His teammate Andi Farid Izdihar followed closely in third with 2’06.818s, while Muhammad Zaqhwan Zaidi of IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA and Australia’s Lachlan Epis of SWIFT GROW RACING TEAM completed the top five in a tightly packed opening session. In Practice 2, Hafizh elevated his performance further, lowering his benchmark to 2’05.693s to maintain control at the top of the timesheets. Zaqhwan responded strongly to secure second with 2’05.903s, while Andi held steady in third at 2’05.972s. Japan’s Keito Abe of SDG HARC-PRO. HONDA PHILIPPINES impressed in fourth, followed by Rocco Sessler of SAVITAR TEAM ASIA, both demonstrating competitive race pace as the field tightened. Practice 3 saw Hafizh deliver his most decisive performance of the day. The experienced Malaysian rider pushed even further, setting a blistering 2’05.549s, the fastest lap across all sessions. Keito continued his upward momentum with 2’06.194s, while Zaqhwan remained consistent in third at 2’06.361s. Lachlan Epis returned to the top-five fight in fourth, ahead of Andi Farid Izdihar, who rounded out the session in fifth. With all three sessions combined, Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah emerged as the undisputed fastest rider of the day, reaffirming his status as the benchmark in the ASB1000 category and signaling strong intent to defend his crown. Hafizh said, “So far, everything has gone well. As a team, we did a really good job session by session, from FP1 to FP3, showing an amazing pace in the final session of the day. We will now look into our data and see where we can improve further. At the moment, we are very satisfied with our overall performance as a team.” TOP 5 FASTEST – COMBINED PRACTICE 1. HAFIZH SYAHRIN ABDULLAH – JDT RACING TEAM (2’05.549s) 2. MUHAMMAD ZAQHWAN ZAIDI – IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA (2’05.903s) 3. ANDI FARID IZDIHAR – JDT RACING TEAM (2’05.972s) 4. KEITO ABE – SDG HARC-PRO. HONDA PHILIPPINES (2’06.194s) 5. ROCCO SESSLER – SAVITAR TEAM ASIA (2’06.417s)

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KASMA FIRES EARLY WARNING

2026, 2026 Round 1, Latest News, Supersports 600 /

Round 1 of the IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship 2026 officially came alive today at the Sepang International Circuit, where Malaysia’s Kasma Daniel Kasmayudin of HONG LEONG YAMAHA RACING delivered a powerful statement by topping the SS600 combined practice times. Kasma wasted no time asserting his presence in Practice 1, where he set the pace with a rapid 2’10.523s, putting him 0.365 seconds ahead of Khairul Idham Pawi of IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA, who posted 2’10.888s. Herjun Atna Firdaus of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM held third with 2’11.098s, while Muhammad Helmi Azman and Thailand’s Anupab Sarmoon completed the top five in a closely matched opening session. Practice 2 saw Khairul respond with a strong lap of 2’10.834s, placing him at the top of the session, ahead of Kasma, who registered 2’11.042s. Helmi maintained his upward trajectory in third with 2’11.293s, followed by Herjun and Anupab, both displaying consistent and competitive form as the temperatures rose on track. But it was Practice 3 where Kasma delivered his strongest punch of the day. He clocked a blistering 2’10.498s, the fastest time across all sessions. Khairul kept the pressure on with 2’10.794s, and Helmi made it another strong outing for the Malaysian contingent with his 2’11.183s lap. Herjun remained steady in fourth, and Fadillah Arbi Aditama made his way into the top five with a 2’11.732s run. With all sessions results combined, Kasma Daniel Kasmayudin emerged firmly as the fastest rider of the day, an important morale boost as he returns to his home circuit with high expectations. Kasma stated, “Everything went well today. The practice sessions were positive and we managed to set good lap times, although it is still not quite as strong as last year. We still need to make some adjustments to the setup. I hope tomorrow in Qualifying we can improve further and achieve a better lap time. I will stay positive, and I hope to secure a front-row position, insyaallah everything will go well.” TOP 5 FASTEST – COMBINED PRACTICE 1. KASMA DANIEL KASMAYUDIN – HONG LEONG YAMAHA RACING (2’10.498s) 2. KHAIRUL IDHAM PAWI – IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA (2’10.794s) 3. HERJUN ATNA FIRDAUS – ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM (2’11.098s) 4. MUHAMMAD HELMI AZMAN – IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA (2’11.152s) 5. ANUPAB SARMOON – YAMAHA THAILAND RACING TEAM (2’11.257s)

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