2026 Round 5

THANAT SET UNMATCHED PACE

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The FIM Asia Road Racing Championship 2026 continued its battle for Round 5 at the PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia today. Thanat Laoongplio of HONDA RACING THAILAND emerged on top, showcasing commanding speed across both outings to lead the Combined Practice standings. Thanat set an early benchmark during Practice 1 when he recorded a 2’11.055s on his 9th tour to take the top spot. Malaysia’s Kasma Daniel Kasmayudin of HONG LEONG YAMAHA RACING applied immediate pressure in second place with a 2’11.409s, while Anupab Sarmoon of YAMAHA THAILAND RACING TEAM secured third with a 2’11.781s. Muhammad Helmi Azman of IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA and Wahyu Nugroho of YAMAHA RACING INDONESIA rounded out the top five. In Practice 2, lap times dropped across the entire field. Thanat once again took charge, finding remarkable rhythm and carrying substantial corner speed to become the only rider to break below the 2’11 mark. His lap of 2’10.197s on his 8th lap, coupled with a top speed of 252.3kph, cemented his position at the top of the combined timesheets. Kasma lowered his own benchmark to a 2’10.729s on lap 9 to secure second place overall, finishing roughly half a second behind the leader. Anupab retained his third position overall, lowering his mark to a 2’11.147s while registering the session’s fastest top speed at 255.9kph. Behind the top three, Wahyu mounted a stronger charge in Practice 2, improving to a 2’11.219s on lap 6 to edge into fourth overall. Helmi capped off the combined top five by posting a 2’12.178s. Thanat shared, “To finish today as the fastest rider is an incredible feeling, and I am truly so happy with what we achieved. A lot of credit goes to our prior preparation when we raced here for MSBK. Having all that data to cross-reference gave us a massive head start, allowing the team to build a virtually perfect baseline setup for me right from the opening laps.” “After today’s sessions, my confidence on the bike grew so much. In Practice 2, everything came together, which allowed us to push harder, find extra pace, and lower our lap times significantly. For tomorrow, the bike is already in a great place, so the main focus will be on myself. I want to refine my riding style just a little bit to squeeze out that extra edge. I really hope we can maintain this strong form overall tomorrow and turn this Friday pace into the exact qualifying and race targets we set out to achieve.” TOP 5 FASTEST – COMBINED PRACTICE 1. THANAT LAOONGPLIO – HONDA RACING THAILAND (2’10.197s) 2. KASMA DANIEL KASMAYUDIN – HONG LEONG YAMAHA RACING (2’10.729s) 3. ANUPAB SARMOON – YAMAHA THAILAND RACING TEAM (2’11.147s) 4. WAHUYU NUGROHO – YAMAHA RACING INDONESIA (2’11.219s) 5. MUHAMMAD HELMI AZMAN – IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA (2’12.178s)

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FADHIL LED DAY ONE

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Round 5 of the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship 2026 got underway today at the PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia. Across two practice sessions in the AP250 category, Muhammad Fadhil Musyavi of YAMAHA RACING INDONESIA clinched the top spot in the Combined Practice standings after a brilliantly timed push in Practice 2. In Practice 1, Rheza Danica Ahrens of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM adapted quickest to the tricky track conditions, posting a 2’24.472s on his 9th tour to take the early honors. His teammate Irfan Ardiansyah backed up the squad’s performance with a 2’24.915s on lap 8 to secure second. Fadhil completed a closely matched top three at 2’24.964s, while Peerapong Luiboonpeng of ONE FOR ALL and Nguyen Huu Tri of MOTUL HONDA ASIA TEAM settled into fourth and fifth. Practice 2 saw lap times tighten dramatically, and Fadhil found his breakthrough on his 7th lap, stringing together clean sectors to record a 2’24.350s. The Indonesian rider’s effort proved to be the quickest lap of the entire day, moving him straight to the top of the combined timesheets. Krittapat Keankum of YAMAHA THAILAND RACING TEAM produced an equally stunning recovery after Practice 1. Krittapat matched Fadhil’s intensity on his 7th lap, clocking 2’24.402s to claim second overall, missing the top spot by a margin of just 0.052s. Rheza’s Practice 1 benchmark held firm against the afternoon improvements, earning him third place in the combined standings. Behind him, Nguyen took fourth overall with a 2’24.515s while clocking the session’s highest top speed of 194.2kph. Candra H completed the top five for YAMAHA RACING INDONESIA with a 2’24.771s, ensuring two team machines concluded Friday among the frontrunners. Fadhil said, “Alhamdulillah, finishing fastest and claiming P1 in Practice 2 is a tremendous result for us, and it allowed us to dial in a strong setup for both Race 1 and Race 2. Insyaallah, we can build on this momentum and deliver an even stronger performance tomorrow.” “The track was quite tricky today, especially during Practice 1, which caught me off guard because it was honestly my first time dealing with such conditions here. I had to stay patient, learn how the bike reacted, and wait for the right moment to push. I hope track conditions improve tomorrow so that I can ride a smart, clean race, bring the bike home safely, and secure a great result for the team.” TOP 5 FASTEST – COMBINED PRACTICE 1. MUHAMMAD FADHIL MUSYAVI – YAMAHA RACING INDONESIA (2’24.350s) 2. KRITTAPAT KEANKUM – YAMAHA THAILAND RACING TEAM (2’24.402s) 3. RHEZA DANICA AHRENS – ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM (2’24.472s) 4. NGUYEN HUU TRI – MOTUL HONDA ASIA TEAM (2’24.515s) 5. CANDRA H – YAMAHA RACING INDONESIA (2’24.771s)

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DIMAS MADE HIS MOVE ON DAY 1

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The FIM Asia Road Racing Championship 2026 resumed for Round 5 at the PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit, Malaysia. With Friday hosting Practice 1, Dimas Juli Atmoko of HJS YOUNGSTAR KAWAHARA RCTH SIXTY secured the top spot on the timesheets in the UB150 category. Dimas displayed steady progress as he worked through his setup program. Biding his time while evaluating grip levels, he launched a decisive lap on his 8th tour. Dimas registered a benchmark of 2’34.225s with a top speed of 161.7kph, vaulting himself straight to the summit of the standings. The battle for P1 was settled by small margins. Rendi Odding of 4S1M EVO YAMAHA Racing Team also delivering his quickest lap on his 8th tour. However, Rendi had to settle for second place with a 2’34.284s, falling short of the lead by just 0.059s. Behind the leading Indonesian duo, Malaysian contenders mounted a formidable response. Muhammad Adib Arsyad Mohd Hisam of UMA RACING YAMAHA MAJU MOTOR TEAM rounded out the top three, clocking 2’35.186s on lap 8 while hitting 165.1kph speed. AEON CREDIT JQK ZYNERGYS CARDINALS demonstrated impressive prowess across the session, locking down the remaining places inside the top five. Md Shafiq Rasol posted a 2’35.352s on his 7th lap to take fourth, recording the highest top speed of the session at 168.7kph. His veteran teammate Ahmad Fazrul Sham followed closely behind in fifth, setting a 2’35.537s on lap 7 with an equally potent 167.2kph speed trap reading. Dimas commented, “Alhamdulillah, all the hard work that my mechanics and I put into preparing for Practice 1 truly paid off with P1 today. Heading into this weekend, our preparation centered around utilizing the valuable data we gathered here during Round 1. We spent a lot of time reviewing the notes, and thankfully, that baseline proved crucial. The engine setup from earlier this season matched our package perfectly for today’s track conditions right out of the box.” “Setting the fastest time early on gives us a massive boost of confidence and lifts the spirits of everyone in the garage. However, our eyes remain firmly locked on the main goal. It is only the start of the weekend, and the real test is ahead. I truly hope we can translate this strong momentum into the results we are fighting for in Race 1 tomorrow and Race 2 on Sunday. We want to deliver this success for our entire team and bring pride to Indonesia. I ask for everyone’s support and prayers so that we can achieve victory this weekend.” TOP 5 FASTEST – PRACTICE 1 1. DIMAS JULI ATMOKO – HJS YOUNGSTAR KAWAHARA RCTH SIXTY (2’34.225s) 2. RENDI ODDING – 4S1M EVO YAMAHA Racing Team (2’34.284s) 3. MUHAMMAD ADIB ARSYAD MOHD HISAM – UMA RACING YAMAHA MAJU MOTOR TEAM (2’35.186s) 4. MD SHAFIQ RASOL – AEON CREDIT JQK ZYNERGYS CARDINALS (2’35.352s) 5. AHMAD FAZRUL SHAM – AEON CREDIT JQK ZYNERGYS CARDINALS (2’35.537s)

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ANUPAB, AGE OVER AGGRESSION

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SS600 is often dominated by young riders eager to push to the absolute limit, but 33-year-old Anupab Sarmoon is quietly dismantling the competition with pure tactical patience. The YAMAHA THAILAND RACING TEAM veteran arrives at the PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit, Malaysia for Round 5 of FIM Asia Road Racing Championship 2026 this weekend as a key contender, carrying strong momentum after a crucial breakthrough. Anupab’s championship campaign gained serious traction during the previous round at the Mandalika International Circuit, Indonesia. While his rivals fought hard at the front, Anupab delivered a masterclass in race management, ultimately securing his first victory of the season in Race 2. That win has tightened the title landscape. Heading into this weekend’s Malaysian double-header, he sits third in the rider standings, tied on points for second place, and trailing the overall championship leader by a mere nine points. Rather than feeling the pressure of the championship race, the Thai rider is thriving on the positive atmosphere within his camp. “The team is working exceptionally well right now. My crew and I understand each other on a profound level, and we are completely aligned in our approach to this title fight. That mutual trust breeds confidence, and I firmly believe things will go very well for us at Sepang.” His recent success highlights the value of staying calm when the racing gets chaotic. “Age brings a different kind of advantage in this class. Instead of getting caught up in the frantic early laps, I rely on a steady, highly measured approach. I deliberately avoid reckless skirmishes, preserving my tires and energy. I just wait, observe, and look for the exact right moment at the end to seal the deal.” Translating his winning Mandalika pace to the wide layout and long straights of Sepang will be the team’s primary technical hurdle. “The base setup we built in Indonesia is excellent, but Sepang has its own unique character. The demands aren’t radically different, but we definitely need to tweak a few things to handle the track. I’ll get a true feel for the adjustments during Friday’s first practice session. Honestly, I love riding this circuit, our historical data here is good, and I think we are absolutely ready.” Even with the championship standings so close, there is no secret strategy for Anupab this weekend. He is keeping his game plan incredibly simple, relying on nothing but a straightforward push for the top spot across both races. “My focus is just to score as many points as possible. I am going to fight hard for them out on the track. I want to be ranked first after this round.”

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IRFAN, FROM REPLACEMENT TO CONTENDER

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What began as an unexpected call-up has quickly turned into a fierce championship surge for Irfan Ardiansyah. Heading into Round 5 of FIM Asia Road Racing Championship 2026 at the PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit this weekend, the ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM rider brings undeniable form to the AP250 grid after claiming a milestone home victory last time out. Irfan’s journey throughout the 2026 campaign has been inspiring and extraordinary. Stepping into the championship during Round 2 as a late replacement rider for his injured teammate, he faced a steep learning curve with significantly less time on the bike compared to his full-season rivals. His debut weekend was a test of patience, yielding a modest P14 in Race 1 and P7 in Race 2. Despite the tough start, Irfan rapidly adapted to the machine. The turning point arrived during Round 3 at the Mobility Resort Motegi in Japan, where he delivered a brilliant double P2 finish to collect 40 crucial points. “Looking back, that Motegi weekend was when everything started to click for me. It felt good to see the step-by-step progress, and I was really grateful that the hard work was beginning to pay off.” That momentum carried over to Round 4 at his home track, the Mandalika International Circuit in Indonesia. However, the weekend began with frustration in Race 1, where he finished in P10. “I was actually in a strong podium position in Race 1. I was just unlucky when another rider pushed me wide in the last two corners of the final lap. We didn’t change the bike setup at all overnight because we knew the pace was already there.” Channeling that disappointment into motivation, Irfan returned to the track the following day and stormed to a sensational victory in Race 2. The triumph marked a historic milestone in his career, securing his long-awaited first AP250 victory with ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM on home soil in the ARRC. “Crossing the finish line to finally win at home was an indescribable feeling. It was a massive rush of gratitude, pride, and mixed emotions that I will never forget.” What makes Irfan’s current form even more impressive is his position in the general classification. Despite missing the season opener entirely, he has rocketed up the standings following his Mandalika triumph. He currently sits fourth in the AP250 championship standings with 82 points—just a single point away from third place and only ten points adrift of second. His rapid rise into the overall title conversation caught even the rider himself off guard. “I completely did not expect to be fighting for the top three in the standings this quickly,” Irfan admitted candidly. “When I looked at the points table after Round 4, I was honestly a bit confused and surprised to see myself sitting in fourth. It really showed how far we have come in such a short time.” Now turning his attention to the PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit, Irfan enters the weekend with absolute clarity. “I know this track well, and I genuinely feel its layout suits my riding style. I am not stepping onto the grid to manage points or calculate standings. My goal is to fight for the top spot, target race wins, and keep building this momentum.”

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HUSNI POISED TO CLINCH TITLE EARLY

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Winning a championship is a remarkable feat, but defending it requires an entirely different level of resolve. Heading into this weekend’s crucial Round 5 of FIM Asia Road Racing Championship 2026 at the PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit, reigning UB150 Champion Husni Zainul Fuadzy of ZIEAR LFN HP969 ADELIN MCR RBT34 stands on the verge of proving his lasting dominance. Carrying the hopes of his team and a commanding 67-point lead, Husni has the rare opportunity to mathematically lock in back-to-back titles early, right here on Malaysian soil. Following a flawless performance in Round 4, Husni currently dominates the rider standings with 157 points. His closest competitor, Rendi Odding of the 4S1M EVO YAMAHA Racing Team, sits in second place with 90 points. This substantial 67 point advantage means that if Husni can maintain a lead of more than 50 points over his rivals by the conclusion of this weekend’s races, he will be crowned the overall 2026 UB150 Champion early. Despite the mounting pressure, Husni remains remarkably composed. “I refuse to let the championship expectations become a burden this weekend. I have been in this exact position before, having fought for the title last year, so my mindset is to stay completely grounded. I am not changing my approach just because of the points gap. My primary focus remains exactly the same as always, it is pushing for the top step of the podium. Hopefully, if everything aligns perfectly, I can lock up the championship early here.” The UB150 category is universally renowned for its chaotic and unpredictable nature. However, after scoring a perfect 50 points in the previous round, Husni is carrying significant momentum. “Securing back-to-back victories last round was an incredible boost. Alhamdulillah, that flawless performance has given me immense motivation and a deep sense of confidence heading into Sepang.” “Everyone knows how fiercely competitive this class is. My strategy is simply to stay focused, carefully analyze the race during every single lap, and ensure I am in the optimal position to strike during the crucial final two laps.” With rival riders pushing to the absolute limit to keep their own title hopes alive, Husni has no plans to ride defensively. “I intend to fight fiercely and give absolutely everything on the track to secure the best possible points. I know the other riders will be aggressive. My method for handling that intense pressure is to maintain my composure. I will stay completely calm and ensure I do not get easily provoked into making unnecessary mistakes.” “I am praying that everything goes smoothly this weekend. Defending this title and becoming the 2026 champion again would be an absolute dream come true. I am so deeply grateful for my team, and everyone who has tirelessly supported and prayed for my campaign.”

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