Indonesian rider Husni Zainul Fuadzy has begun his 2026 campaign in the UB150 category of the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship with the same authority that carried him to the 2025 overall championship title.
Representing ZIEAR LFN HP969 ADELIN MCR RBT34, Husni enters Round 2 at Chang International Circuit as the current championship leader after a strong opening round at Sepang International Circuit, where he secured third place in Race 1 before bouncing back with a victory in Race 2 to collect 41 crucial points.
Despite carrying the pressure of being the defending champion, Husni remains composed and focused, insisting that his mindset has not changed even with the target on his back.
“Alhamdulillah, Round 1 was a very good result for me and the team. For me, there is no pressure. I will continue to fight until the final round to defend my championship. Every race is important, and I just want to stay consistent and keep pushing forward.”
As the man to beat in UB150 this season, Husni acknowledges that defending the title is already proving to be a tougher challenge than winning it.
“The biggest challenge right now is defending the championship. Everyone is pushing harder this year, so I know I cannot relax even for a moment.”
The UB150 category has also seen increased intensity this season, with changes in regulations adding another layer of unpredictability to the competition.
“The competition in UB150 this year is very tight. The regulation changes have quite a big impact on the bike, so every team has had to adapt. That makes the racing even closer and more challenging.”
For Husni, nothing comes easy at the top level. That is the reality of defending a championship.
“It is definitely very difficult to defend the title. But my team and I will continue to fight in every round. We are not here just to participate. We are here to defend the championship.”
While results remain his priority, Husni continues to focus on refining himself as a rider, round by round.
“In every race, I always learn something new and sharpen my instincts. That is how I keep improving, step by step, session by session, and round by round.”
Heading into Round 2, Husni also credits his team for ensuring he arrives fully prepared for another demanding weekend.
“My team has prepared everything very well for Round 2. Now it’s up to me to execute on track. Hopefully we can achieve another strong result this weekend.”