2025

CANDRA TRIUMPHED IN SEPANG HEAT

2025, 2025 Round 5, Asia Production 250, Latest News /

Round 5 of the IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship 2025 delivered scorching action in Race 1 of the AP250 class at the Sepang International Circuit, with Indonesia’s Candra H of YAMAHA RACING INDONESIA emerging victorious in a dramatic battle under sweltering 40°C track temperatures. As the lights went out, Candra got off to a strong launch and seized the early lead, only to be overtaken by Thailand’s Krittapat Keankum of YAMAHA THAILAND RACING TEAM, with compatriot Mohammad Murobbil Vitoni of YAMAHA LFN HP969 INDONESIA RACING TEAM close behind. By the end of the opening lap, Candra had slipped to third. On Lap 2, Fadillah Arbi Aditama of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM surged to the front, igniting hopes of a charge, but technical gremlins struck, forcing him to slow as the pack swept past. Murobbil inherited the lead before disaster struck on Lap 3 when he and Krittapat collided with Rintaro Takemoto of TY Antares Racing Team and Davino Britani of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM and crashed, dramatically reshuffling the running order. The incident elevated six riders into podium contention: Muhammad Fadhil Musyavi of YAMAHA RACING INDONESIA, Candra, Galang Hendra Pratama of YAMAHA BAF YAMALUBE AKAI JAYA MBKW2 RACING, Md Izam Ikmal of VICTOR RACING TEAM, Mohamad Danial Syahmi Ahmad Shahril of UMA RACING YAMAHA MAJU MOTOR ASIA TEAM, and Abdullah Qayyum A Razak of CARDINALS Factory YAMAHA ZYNERGYS Racing Team ARRC. By Lap 6, Fadhil and Candra were locked in an intense duel for the lead, swapping positions at every opportunity, while Danial held firm in third and Izam began to close in from fourth. Japan’s Aiki Iyoshi of MOTUL KAWASAKI SNIPER MANUAL TECH joined the mix in fifth, setting the stage for a thrilling finale. The last lap saw all-out aggression as Izam launched his challenge for victory, but Candra held his nerve and powered across the line first with a time of 19’35.572s. Izam followed just 0.158s behind at 19’35.730s, while Fadhil secured third at 19’35.734s, a mere 0.004s further back. Candra shared, “I’m at a loss for words. I want to sincerely thank my team, my mechanic, and the team owner, as well as my family who has supported me all the way. This victory is dedicated to everyone who has stood behind me and believed in me.” TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 1

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AFIF PULLED OFF HEROIC WIN

2025, 2025 Round 5, Latest News, Underbone 150 /

Round 5 of the IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship 2025 delivered a thrilling Race 1 in the UB150 class at the Sepang International Circuit, with Malaysian Ahmad Afif Amran of Pitsbike Superfast JRT Rapido Racing Team producing a stunning late-race charge to claim victory on home soil. Afif made a strong start, initially taking the lead, but the opening corners saw rapid position changes as the pack jostled for supremacy. By Lap 2, Afif regained the lead, closely shadowed by Indonesia’s Gupita Kresna Wardhana of ZIEAR LFN HP969 MCR RBT 34, Dimas Juli Atmoko of RACETECH SIXTY Racing, Peerapong Luiboonpeng of ONE FOR ALL, and April King Mascardo of UMA MMR YAMAHA PHILIPPINE RACING TEAM. Peerapong later slowed with technical issues and retired from the race. Lap 3 saw Afif drop to ninth in split seconds, with Wahyu Aji Trilaksana of RACETECH SIXTY Racing leading, before April made a bold move to take the front. On Lap 4, Danial Damar of YAMAHA LFN HP969 INDONESIA RACING TEAM surged ahead, while Afif recovered to second, maintaining relentless pressure. The tightly packed group continued to swap positions, with all riders separated by less than a second.By Lap 5, Adytya Fauzi of JPNW SND FACTORY RACING, who served penalty by starting from pit lane, charged up to second position, setting the stage for an electrifying finale. On the final lap, Afif unleashed a masterful attack, accelerating past the group and creating an uncatchable 1.358s gap to claim the checkered flag in 15’43.856s. Fahmi Basam of YAMAHA LFN HP969 INDONESIA RACING TEAM held on for second at 15’45.070s, while Husni Zainul Fuadzy of ZIEAR LFN HP969 MCR RBT 34 completed the podium in 15’45.075s. Ahmad Afif commented, “At the beginning of the lap, I tried to break away but wasn’t successful, so I had to stay in the front group first. On the last lap, I tried once again and bet on it. I pushed a bit too early at the first turn, usually riders push at Sector 3 or Sector 4. I tried to take that chance and make the most of it, and Alhamdulillah, I saw the gap growing and just maintained the speed until the finish line. I believe tomorrow’s race will be even tougher, so I need to plan a new strategy because today they might have figured out mine. Let’s see how tomorrow’s race will turn out. Thank you to the team, and not forgetting the crew who worked very hard this year. Alhamdulillah, in this round we managed to be on the podium.” TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 1

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HIROKI SNATCHED LAST-LAP VICTORY

2025, 2025 Round 5, Latest News, TVS Asia One Make /

Round 5 of the IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship 2025 delivered an electrifying Race 1 of the TVS ASIA One Make Championship at the Sepang International Circuit, with Japan’s Hiroki Ono snatching a dramatic last-corner victory from Malaysia’s Md Ramdan Rosli. As the lights went out, Spain’s Luis Miguel launched strongly off the line, but his lead was short-lived as Hiroki Ono capitalised on a wide first turn to surge to the front. Malaysia’s Md Ramdan Rosli immediately gave chase in second, followed by India’s Sarthak Chavan in third, Luis dropping to fourth, and Chiranth Vishwanath of India in fifth. By Lap 2, the leading quintet of Hiroki, Luis, Chiranth, Ramdan, and Sarthak had carved out a two-second advantage from the chasing group. Hiroki looked comfortable in command, but the battle behind remained intense. On Lap 3, Hiroki stamped his authority by clocking a fastest lap of 2’21.312s, while Ramdan muscled his way into second, demoting Sarthak to third. Luis and Chiranth continued their fight for fourth as the front-runners began to pull clear. The home crowd roared to life on Lap 4 when Ramdan responded with a blistering 2’21.166s, closing the gap to just 0.233s behind Hiroki. The duo began to break away from the chasing group, which trailed at 2.602s adrift, while the fight for the final podium spot intensified among Sarthak, Luis, and Chiranth. Lap 5 delivered heart-stopping drama as Hiroki and Ramdan traded overtakes for the lead, neither willing to give an inch. The final lap saw Ramdan edging into the lead, with Hiroki shadowing him at every corner. The Malaysian looked set to claim a famous home victory, but Hiroki launched a bold inside move at the final corner, seizing the win in 14’20.277s. Ramdan crossed just 0.047s behind at 14’20.324s, leaving the crowd in disbelief. Sarthak Chavan secured third at 14’22.419s, with Luis Miguel and Chiranth Vishwanath completing the top five. Hiroki reflected, “Race was very tough until the last lap fighting with Ramdan. But every lap I felt not too bad because I was relaxed. At the beginning, there was some battling with a few riders to get to the top, but in the last few laps it was just me and Ramdan. On the final corner, I decided to go from the inside and managed to take the win. This victory is very important for the championship. Tomorrow, my target is also to get another victory.” TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE

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HAFIZH TOP AT HOME SOIL

2025, 2025 Round 5, Asia Superbike 1000, Latest News /

Round 5 of the IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship 2025 kicked off today at the Sepang International Circuit, Malaysia, with the ASB1000 class delivering high-speed action under hot conditions. It was Malaysia’s Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah of JDT RACING TEAM who emerged fastest overall, topping the combined practice results with a 2’05.808s lap in Practice 3. Syahrin’s consistent pace and strong performance set the benchmark for the weekend, putting him in prime position ahead of qualifying. Close on his heels, compatriot Muhammad Zaqhwan Zaidi of IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA claimed second overall with 2’05.887s, while Australia’s Lachlan Epis of SAVITAR RACING ASIA secured third at 2:06.095s. Rounding out the top five were Keito Abe of SDG HARC-PRO. HONDA PHILIPPINES in fourth at 2’06.187s and Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman of A1 ENERGY BMW RACING TEAM in fifth with lap time of 2’06.323s. Hafizh Syahrin commented, “It was a good first day. I’m really happy with my pace in Practice 3; we rode almost like in a race. There is still room for improvement, but the team and I did very well. It was unfortunate that my teammate crashed in Practice 1 and lost valuable track time and bike mileage. I wish him a speedy recovery. Tomorrow, we’ll see how it goes, and I will do my best for Qualifying and Race 1.” TOP 5 FASTEST – PRACTICE (COMBINED)

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KASMA EYES STRONG QUALIFYING

2025, 2025 Round 5, Latest News, Supersports 600 /

Round 5 of the IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship 2025 fired into action today at the Sepang International Circuit, Malaysia, SS600 class saw riders faced demanding track with temperatures peaking at 40°C across the practice sessions. Malaysia’s Kasma Daniel Kasmayudin of HONG LEONG YAMAHA RACING emerged as the fastest rider overall, topping the combined practice results with a blistering 2’09.864s lap in Practice 3. His commanding pace set the benchmark for the weekend, putting him in a strong position heading into tomorrow’s qualifying session. Close on his heels, Indonesia’s Wahyu Nugroho of YAMAHA RACING INDONESIA secured second overall with 2’10.303s, while Malaysia’s Mohammad Adenanta Putra of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM claimed third at 2’10.548s. KHAIRUL IDHAM PAWI of IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA posted 2’10.612s for fourth, and teammate Muhammad Helmi Azman finished fifth at 2’10.659s, completing a tightly packed top five. Kasma said, “Syukur Alhamdulillah. For my bike, the team did a great job, and I hope we can continue like this tomorrow. I will try to find some setup improvements to reduce lap times, and I hope I can also have a good race, InsyaAllah.” TOP 5 FASTEST – PRACTICE (COMBINED)

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ARBI OVERCAME HEAT

2025, 2025 Round 5, Asia Production 250, Latest News /

Round 5 of the IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship 2025 roared into action today at the Sepang International Circuit, Malaysia. With temperatures climbing to 39.8°C, AP250 riders faced the challenging heat as they fought for fastest lap times in three practice sessions. It was Indonesia’s Fadillah Arbi Aditama of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM who emerged as the fastest rider overall, topping the combined practice results with a 2’23.372s lap. Arbi showed impressive consistency throughout the day, balancing speed and control to manage the demanding conditions. Close behind, Mohammad Murobbil Vitoni of YAMAHA LFN HP969 INDONESIA RACING TEAM secured second overall with 2’23.481s, while Thailand’s Krittapat Keankum of YAMAHA THAILAND RACING TEAM claimed third at 2’23.714s. Japan’s Aiki Iyoshi of MOTUL KAWASAKI SNIPER MANUAL TECH finished fourth with 2’23.923s, and Malaysia’s Mohamad Danial Syahmi Ahmad Shahril of UMA RACING YAMAHA MAJU MOTOR ASIA TEAM rounded out the top five at 2’24.451s. Arbi shared, “It was a good day overall. We had strong pace in Practice 1 with the cooler conditions, and I felt much more comfortable. Especially on the Honda bike, I could carry more speed and maximize its performance. Unfortunately, around midday, the temperature was very high, so we couldn’t maintain the pace like usual. But we tried to find a better setup, and Practice 2 went well. I tried to manage myself, control the pace, and break away from the group, but they wouldn’t let me go alone. Nevertheless, it was a good day for me. We will do our best for tomorrow’s Qualifying and Race 1.” TOP 5 FASTEST – PRACTICE (COMBINED)

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DIMAS SET BENCHMARK

2025, 2025 Round 5, Latest News, Underbone 150 /

Round 5 of the IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship 2025 happened today at the Sepang International Circuit, Malaysia, witnessed riders battled both the heat and the technical track in the opening two practice sessions for UB150 class. After a fiercely competitive day, it was Indonesia’s Dimas Juli Atmoko of RACETECH SIXTY Racing who emerged as the fastest rider overall. Dimas stamped his authority in Practice 2 with a blistering 2’32.015s, edging ahead of a strong field and setting the benchmark for the weekend. Close on his heels was compatriot Gupita Kresna Wardhana of ZIEAR LFN HP969 MCR RBT 34, who combined consistent pace across both sessions to secure second overall with 2’32.789s. Fahmi Basam of YAMAHA LFN HP969 INDONESIA RACING TEAM claimed third at 2’33.024s, showing solid speed and adaptation to the hot conditions. Rounding out the top five were Ahmad Afif Amran of Pitsbike Superfast JRT Racing Team in fourth at 2’33.571s and Md Akid Aziz, also of Pitsbike Superfast JRT Racing Team, in fifth with the lap time of 2’33.643s. Dimas commented, “During Practice 1 and Practice 2, Alhamdulillah, the results were very positive for my preparation for the Superpole session. My mechanics and team always strive to improve from the previous races. I also feel more motivated after winning the race in Mandalika. For this race, I hope I can reach the podium and score more points. I will continue to work hard for good results.” TOP 5 FASTEST – PRACTICE (COMBINED)

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RAMDAN AIMS TO CONQUER

2025, 2025 Round 5, Latest News, TVS Asia One Make /

Round 5 of the IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship 2025 ignited today at the Sepang International Circuit, Malaysia, watched the TVS ASIA One Make Championship riders delivered thrilling action under scorching conditions, pushing to find the perfect rhythm during the two practice sessions. Malaysia’s Md Ramdan Rosli dominated the day, emerging as the fastest rider overall with a blistering 2’22.099s lap in Practice 2. His impressive pace set the benchmark for the weekend and gave him a solid foundation heading into tomorrow’s qualifying session. India’s Sarthak Chavan stayed hot on his heels, securing second in the combined practice results with 2’23.131s, while Japan’s Hiroki Ono, the reigning pace-setter from previous rounds, claimed third at 2’23.274s. Spain’s Luis Miguel and Indonesia’s Rendi rounded out the top five, posting competitive lap times of 2’24.030s and 2’24.467s, respectively. Ramdan shared, ” About today’s practice sessions, I’m really happy. From Practice 1 and Practice 2, I did well in everything regarding both the engine and the suspension. I didn’t make any changes to my bike starting from Practice 1, so I just enjoyed the moment on track and tried to set a good lap time. In Practice 2, the track temperature was a bit higher compared to this morning, but I still kept improving my lap times. I will maintain this momentum for tomorrow’s Qualifying as well as Race 1. Of course, since this is a home-ground race, I will give 120% to try to win both races” TOP 5 FASTEST – PRACTICE (COMBINED)

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AZLAN – BOOSTED AFTER FIRST WIN, EVEN MORE FOR HOME-RACE

2025, 2025 Round 5, Asia Superbike 1000, Latest News /

The fiery dance to the Asia Superbike 1000cc rhythm ended when Hafizh Syahrin of JDT RACING TEAM flaunted his prowess all the way to the spot of glory on the podium in Race 1 at Mandalika International Circuit. The Malaysian rider recalibrated his moves in Race 2 but before he could wing it once again, he succumbed to the winning tricks of fellow countrymen, Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman of A1 ENERGY BWM RACING TEAM. What would the odds be during Round 5 of the IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship at Sepang International Circuit? Season 2025 began with pain points for both the riders who struggled to find the best performance setup for the machine. While it was more evident for Azlan who gradually became a back-bencher, Hafizh was not exactly free of the nagging burden until Race 2 at Motegi where he flew to his defining moment, bagging his first win for the season. His winning momentum continued with his performance amplifying the capacities of his Ducati, drawing an impressive gap of 2.9s from his closest contender, Nakarin Atiratphuvapat of HONDA RACING THAILAND. But who would have thought that Azlan who began his mission for the day from the seventh spot on the grid would circle in with his brilliant all-time strategic move to claim not only a win but also hope for his team to make it into the A-lister, potentially penetrating the top five league?! Azlan pulled a stunner on that day, scaling the benchmarks higher in what is perceived as competence versus speed and currently sits at the sixth spot in the overall standings, 6 points shy from Azroy Hakeem Anuar of IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA at the fifth spot. The question is, with Sepang circuit being home to the long list of highly competitive riders in the race category, will Azlan be able to guard his reputation with yet another accomplishing showmanship? Commenting on the race, Azlan said, “I would say the turning point was when everything finally clicked together — my rhythm, my confidence and the bike setup. In Race 2 at Motegi, I felt like I was truly riding at my own pace again. That moment gave me the belief that we could fight back this season. In terms of machine, for a long time, it was tough for the team to find the right setup. The team worked really hard to analyse every detail and we finally found a balance between stability and agility. Before, the bike felt unpredictable. Now, with the right setup, it matches my natural riding style – late braking, carrying corner speed and being aggressive on exits. That change allowed me to ride more freely and confidently.” “Consistency is definitely key. At Sepang, we need to be smart with tire management and patient with overtaking. My strategy is to stay focused on finishing strong in both races, avoiding unnecessary mistakes and taking opportunities when they come. If I can maximize points at home, the top five is definitely within reach. The biggest challenge though is that the Malaysian riders will be motivated to perform in front of the home crowd. The pace will be intense because they know the track very well. But that also pushes me to be sharper – it’s not just about speed but rather about handling the pressure and racing smart. I also have a good fighting spirit. Even when things don’t go my way, I never give up. I’ve been in this sport for a long time, and my experience helps me stay calm under pressure. That resilience is what keeps me moving forward when others might give in.” Speaking about mission for the season, Azlan said, “The mission is simple: to fight back, stay consistent, and finish the season strong. I want to show that no matter how tough the start was, we have the ability to turn things around. More than just results, I want to prove to myself, my team and the fans that I can still compete at the highest level.”

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HELMI WILL VIE FOR TOP THREE

2025, 2025 Round 5, Latest News, Supersports 600 /

The Indonesian flag raised at the podium post SuperSports 600cc of the IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship was a testament to the wit and grit of Indonesian riders, Md Adenanta Putra and Herjun Atna Firdaus of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM who graced the top spot in Race 1 and 2 respectively at their home-ground. The real question is though, while Adenanta has tamed his machine on various circuit grounds, can Herjun trail his footsteps and ward off the pressure from home-boys in Round 5 that will be held at Sepang International Circuit? It was unfortunate that Adenanta slipped and fell in Race 2 at Mandalika before savouring the sweet success of a double-win but his teammate, Herjun was quick to fill in his space to ensure the 25-points remain intact within their team. The heat of rivalry is bound to get hotter for the Indonesian lad who has just found his fame, especially on a circuit ground more familiar to aggressive players such as Kasma Daniel of HONG LEONG YAMAHA RACING and Md Helmi Azman of IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA who have clocked not only impressive lap times but also marked victorious in their pursuit. In Round 2, Kasma bagged the second spot in Race 1 and Helmi took the winning prize in Race 2. The capacities of the riders are clearly undeniable especially in a game where mileage adds up to their advantage. Between the duo, Kasma has whipped up a storm throughout the season and sits pretty at the third spot overall with only a 1-point difference with his closest contender, Anupab Sarmoon of YAMAHA THAILAND RACING TEAM. Helmi, although his light has dimmed a little this season, his competitive stride is nevertheless evident in all races and is expected to fire up once again on his home-soil. Commenting on the race, Helmi said, “This year would be considered the toughest season for me because as we have observed, there are many competitors who are closing in really fast in terms of machine performance. We definitely have more to improve on the capacities of the machine so that we can remain competitive among the top scorers. As for myself, hard work is always a must and that is what I will be doing to be on par with the counterparts. Sepang being my home-ground does not make it easier for me but I am for a double-win. I have to take advantage of the home-ground factor if I want to see better results, more so after the struggles we have faced in the last couple of rounds. I believe that we can make a comeback.” “Having said that, I know it will require some new strategies. Although Sepang is my home-ground, other riders are also quite familiar with the track layout. Most importantly, the goal is not to over-pressure myself. I hope to remain calm and composed throughout the weekend and ride through the familiarity, without any major issues with the machine. There are also added value for me here. I will surely have the support of my fans and family members so, with that in mind, I hope to draw some courage and do better. Preparations are as usual – the workouts to build my physique and my mental capacities. The team has also given us some mileage through bike trainings. So, let’s see how it goes. Since on paper, I can still fight for the top three positions, that will be aim for now and I will do my best to ensure I’ve given my all.”

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