Asia Superbike 1000

Round 5 of the IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship produced a dramatic Race 2 in the ASB1000 class at the Sepang International Circuit, as Azroy Hakeem Anuar of IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA took a sensational victory after a chaotic final lap. Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah of JDT RACING TEAM got off to a solid start but was immediately challenged by Azroy at the first turn. The early laps saw Hafizh and Azroy trading positions at the front, with Muhammad Zaqhwan Zaidi of IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA, Keito Abe of SDG HARC-PRO. HONDA PHILIPPINES, and Nakarin Atiratphuvapat of HONDA RACING THAILAND battling for top positions. By Lap 3, Zaqhwan overtook Hafizh to take the lead, setting the fastest lap at 2’06.362s. Azroy began his climb, overtaking Keito and gradually closing the gap to the front runners with successive fastest laps of 2’06.166s, 2’06.028s, and 2’06.003s between laps 6 and 10. Lap 11 saw Hafizh regain the lead, setting the stage for a dramatic finale. On the final lap, a collision occurred when Zaqhwan attempted to overtake Hafizh, resulting in both riders crashing out. This opened the door for Azroy, who seized the moment and crossed the finish line first at 25’26.719s. Nakarin took second at 25’29.682s, while Andi Farid Izdihar of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM completed the podium at 25’29.750s. The second-place finish for Nakarin secured him the championship lead, giving him an advantage heading into the final round at his home circuit in Chang International Circuit, Buriram, Thailand. Azroy said, “Alhamdulillah, after a very tough race yesterday, today I managed to get back to number one after a long time. This was possible thanks to my team, although there were also some crashes involving the riders ahead of me, which are part of racing. At the start, I tried to fight for first position, but my rear tyre had no grip, so I dropped back to fourth. From there, I focused on building momentum and regaining confidence lap by lap. After passing Nakarin, I felt I was closing in, but I pushed too hard in the middle of the lap. That’s why, on the last lap, I was a bit too far to challenge further. I also noticed the gap behind was about two seconds, so finishing third was safer than risking a crash. I want to thank everyone, especially the fans who came to support us in Sepang. Now, let’s see how it goes in the final round in Buriram.” TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 2

Round 5 of the IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship 2025 delivered a scorching Race 1 in the ASB1000 class at the Sepang International Circuit, with Malaysian star Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah of JDT RACING TEAM taking a commanding victory in extreme conditions. Hafizh got off to a strong start, immediately taking the lead ahead of Azroy Hakeem Anuar and Muhammad Zaqhwan Zaidi of IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA. Keito Abe of SDG HARC-PRO. HONDA PHILIPPINES and Nakarin Atiratphuvapat of HONDA RACING THAILAND completed the top five, setting the stage for a fierce Honda-versus-Ducati battle. By Lap 3, Keito clocked the fastest lap at 2’06.015s, closing in on third, but Zaqhwan defended his position. Hafizh maintained a steady pace at the front, while Lap 5 saw Azroy 0.746s behind. Lap 6 brought drama as Azroy crashed, giving Hafizh a larger advantage, and Keito moved up to second before also crashing out. Azroy rejoined in tenth, while Zaqhwan and Nakarin capitalised to move into second and third. The following laps saw further attrition in the top five, with Andi Farid Izdihar of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM crashing on Lap 10. Hafizh, displaying exceptional control, managed the front tyre under the blistering heat and crossed the line in 25’26.781s. Zaqhwan secured second at 25’30.043s, while Nakarin claimed the final podium spot at 25’42.950s. Lachlan Epis of SAVITAR RACING ASIA and Maiku Watanuki of Team TATARA Aprilia completed the top five. Hafizh said, “Wow, the last four laps were really tough, especially managing the front tyre, it was losing grip many times. When I saw Keito drop out, I told myself to stay calm, enjoy the moment, and relax. I knew Zaqhwan was 4.5 seconds behind, so I focused on maintaining my pace. I had nothing more to prove in terms of speed as the start already showed that, and it was enough to secure the win. This victory is for the team, my family, our boss, and all the fans who came, including the marshals on the track. Racing in these hot conditions, with 41°C air temperature and 60°C for asphalt, wouldn’t have been possible without their support.” TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 1

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)

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.”

Round 4 of the IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship concluded with a spectacular Race 2 in the ASB1000 class at the Mandalika International Circuit, Indonesia, as Malaysian veteran Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman of A1 ENERGY BMW RACING TEAM stormed to an emotional victory on National Day. As the race start, Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah of JDT RACING TEAM surged to the front, closely pursued by Nakarin Atiratphuvapat of HONDA RACING THAILAND and Keito Abe of SDG HARC-PRO. HONDA PHILIPPINES. Drama unfolded on Lap 3 when Nakarin crashed but managed to rejoin. Keito moved into P2, while Azlan Shah climbed into P3, followed by Andi Farid Izdihar of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM and Azroy Hakeem Anuar of IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA. The race took a major turn on Lap 5 for Malaysian riders, as Azroy crashed out, followed by heartbreak for Hafizh on Lap 6 when a highside ended his race while leading. Keito seized control at the front, chased by Azlan and Andi. By Lap 8, Azlan began closing the gap to Keito, the duo breaking away by nearly five seconds from the chasing group. The relentless pressure culminated on Lap 12 when Azlan executed a smooth overtake to snatch the lead. Despite Keito’s fierce challenge in the closing laps, Azlan held firm, crossing the finish line at 20’55.147s to secure his first victory of the season and a special one for Malaysia on National Day. Keito finished second at 20’55.784s, while local hero Andi delighted the home crowd by clinching third at 20’59.664s. Azlan said, “It’s unbelievable! If I look back at my journey with the team, it’s been tough this season. I’ve struggled with form, with the bike, and with myself. Coming back to Mandalika wasn’t easy either. Last year, I crashed here, and I even had a highside during 8-hour race. Honestly, I lost some motivation, but I told myself: if I cannot win, at least improve and enjoy the circuit. Today, my target was just to stay with the front group and manage my energy. Yesterday, I was too hyped, pushed too hard, and made mistakes. But this time I stayed calm, kept the pace, and it paid off. I’m so lucky to get this win. I must thank my team and my crew who worked tirelessly, they even until midnight to prepare a new bike for me. This victory is for them, for everyone who has supported me, and most importantly, for Malaysia. Happy Merdeka Day!” TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 2

Round 4 of the IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship delivered heat at the Mandalika International Circuit, Indonesia today, with Malaysian star Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah of JDT RACING TEAM storming to victory in Race 1 of the ASB1000 class. As the lights went out, Hafizh made a strong launch but it was Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman of A1 ENERGY BMW RACING TEAM who surged to the front, shadowed closely by Nakarin Atiratphuvapat of HONDA RACING THAILAND. Hafizh settled into third with the IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA duo of Muhammad Zaqhwan Zaidi and Azroy Hakeem Anuar chasing in fourth and fifth. By Lap 2, Nakarin slipped past Hafizh but Hafizh quickly fought back to reclaim top spot. The Thai ace, however, refused to be shaken off, tailing Hafizh corner by corner. At the same time, Azlan was forced to fend off the relentless challenge from Zaqhwan and Azroy. Hafizh then laid down the gauntlet on Lap 3 with a fastest time of 1’35.747s, pulling marginally ahead. But Nakarin answered immediately with a blistering 1’35.383s on Lap 4, ensuring the battle for the lead remained alive. The duo broke away, opening a 1.302s gap from the chasing pack, where Zaqhwan muscled his way into third ahead of Azlan. The race took a dramatic twist on Lap 5 when Keito Abe of SDG HARC-PRO. HONDA PHILIPPINES and Lachlan Epis of SAVITAR RACING ASIA collided and crashed out of contention. With clear track ahead, Hafizh managed to gradually build a 1-second lead over Nakarin by Lap 6. From there, he controlled the pace superbly, while behind him Zaqhwan closed in on Nakarin, setting up a tense fight for second place. After 12 laps of high drama, Hafizh powered across the line to claim victory in 20’48.234s, a result made even more special as Malaysia celebrates Merdeka Day weekend. Nakarin held off a late attack from Zaqhwan to secure second at 20’51.193s, just 0.129 seconds ahead of the Malaysian, who completed the podium at 20’51.322s. Hafizh expressed, “I didn’t know what pace I was doing because my lap time wasn’t showing on the dash. It worked yesterday and in Qualifying, but during the race it didn’t, so I was stressed. I had to rely on my feeling from yesterday and trust my instinct. I just kept going, avoided mistakes, and tried to manage the tyres. The bike was really awesome and I thank my team and crew chief who have been helping me since Round 2 until here. We didn’t touch the bike setup at all, we just kept it the same, and that’s something I’ve never done in my life. But yeah, sometimes this happens. I just kept working, understood better, and put in the effort with the team. This victory is for them; they sometimes work more than 20 hours. Right now, this pays off after the Japan round where Race 1 was a disaster. Now we’re back. Thanks to everyone who supported me. Tomorrow, we’ll do our best again, for Malaysia’s Merdeka Day.” TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 1

Round 4 of the IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship roared into action today at the Mandalika International Circuit, Indonesia, where the ASB1000 class delivered an electrifying start. Across three practice sessions, the battle for supremacy was fierce, with lap times tumbling as riders adapted quickly to the technical 4.31km track. It was Apiwath Wongthananon of A1 ENERGY BMW RACING TEAM who emerged as the fastest overall, setting a blistering 1’35.592s in Practice 3. His commanding pace placed him just 0.026s ahead of Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah of JDT RACING TEAM, who pushed hard throughout the day and clocked his best at 1’35.618s. Adding to the intensity, young Australian sensation Cameron Dunker of MOTOGO YAMAHA RACING TEAM stormed into the top 3 with a remarkable 1’35.743s, showcasing his rapid adaptation to the premier class. Nakarin Atiratphuvapat of HONDA RACING THAILAND stayed consistent across sessions to secure fourth with 1’35.772s, while experienced campaigner Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman of A1 ENERGY BMW RACING TEAM completed the top 5 at 1’35.874s. Apiwath shared, “Today was a good day for me. At the start of Practice 1, I went out with new tyres and a new compound to learn the track. Midway through the session, I had a problem with the ECU, but we got the information we needed for Practice 2. In Practice 2, I used the main setup that was similar to Japan and finished in P5. I also tried the new tyre with the hard compound, and it gave me a good feeling. In Practice 3, I pushed a little more and managed to take P1. Overall, today everything was good for me.” With less than three tenths of a second separating the top 5, the ASB1000 category is primed for a thrilling qualifying showdown tomorrow. TOP 5 FASTEST – PRACTICE (COMBINED)

The Japanese went all out, staying clean within the racing lines with the aim of scoring a double-win on his home-ground circuit in the Asia Superbike 1000cc however, Hafizh Syahrin of JDT RACING TEAM who was all about making up for the loss in Race 1 traded blows with Keito Abe of SDG HARC-PRO. HONDA PHILIPPINES before taking him down for a 25-point celebration. The rivalry is bound to continue at Mandalika International Circuit during Round 4 of the IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship but with a certain additional twist from Andi Farid Izdihar of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM. The Indonesian lost a double opportunity to scale higher in Round 3 after encountering a racing incident in his local championship. Now, fit to embrace all possibilities, Andi will be back to make his story count especially on his home-ground circuit. Last season, Andi mesmerised the crowd when he took a win in Race 1 on his home-soil and although he succumbed to third place in Race 2, his rewarding performance gave him the boost he needed to be in contention for the championship title. Andi ended the season as 1st runner up, 2-point shy from his closest contender. This season has been somewhat glum for Andi who was seen struggling to seal the deal on the top three spots. The rider who is known to have it in spades currently sits ninth in the overall standings after the mid-season race with a total of 32 points. It’s a huge gap to fill to fit into the finest spots but the odds are there with a condition to make the top five cut – if he wraps the coming round up a 50-pointer. Will Andi be up for the challenge and make a quick turn around? Andi said, “I am pretty geared up for the coming race on my home soil. It will definitely be tough to compete with those ahead of me right now since I have missed out on two races. But I am recovery well and fine for now and I believe that I will be back to a 100% by this weekend. The aim is to improve further and make amends on aspects that I have lost, not just the missed weekend but also the two crashes in round 1 and 2. That has certainly pulled down further. The target is of course to aim big and take the win in the coming races and as fun as it may sound, it is not an easy task considering the close contention from the rivals. But again, who knows what could happen and where the championship will lead us all to?!” “I like the character of Mandalika’s tarmac and I particularly enjoy riding on the last sector when you need to brake harder to avoid overshooting from the racing line – to optimise speed. That is quite a challenge but I love it. It brings with it a different kind of umph. At this point of time, I am reducing focus on the rivalry and will pay more attention to what I can be achieved further. Every round is challenging as it is but we all know that every rider in the race category is highly capable. As per my mantra – “Life never gets easy but we try our best despite the odds.” I will look back and analyse the mistakes so that I can keep learning and be better!”

Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah of JDT RACING TEAM delivered an inspiring ride to claim his first victory of the season, bringing the Malaysian flag to the top step of the ASB1000 podium in Round 3 of the 2025 FIM Asia Road Racing Championship at the Mobility Resort Motegi, Japan. As the lights went out, Hafizh launched well off the line, immediately taking the lead with Keito Abe of SDG HARC―PRO. HONDA PHILIPPINES close on his tail and Sho Nishimura of JAPAN POSTHonda Racing in third. Drama struck early when championship leader Azroy Hakeem Anuar of IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA crashed out following contact with Apiwath Wongthananon of A1 ENERGY BMW RACING TEAM, forcing both riders into an early and frustrating retirement. By lap 3, Muhammad Zaqhwan Zaidi of IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA made a smooth move on Sho to slot into fourth and began hunting down Nakarin Atiratphuvapat of HONDA RACING THAILAND for third. Up front, Hafizh maintained his lead as Keito shadowed him relentlessly, waiting for his chance to strike. That moment came on lap 6 when Keito made a decisive move to take over the lead. The final lap delivered a nail-biting duel as Hafizh and Keito traded overtakes in a heart-stopping battle for the win. With a bold move in a section where he knew he was strongest, Hafizh reclaimed the lead and unleashed everything he had, charging past the chequered flag to seal a memorable victory in 24’09.165s. Keito crossed just behind in 24’09.378s, while Sho Nishimura completed the podium in third at 24’12.201s. Hafizh reflected on his comeback, “I had a good start, but yesterday didn’t end well for me. Even this morning, I almost lost all my confidence because I wasn’t pushing, I was just riding with my rhythm but suddenly lost the front at Turn 9, which really made me doubt my bike. I didn’t understand why I lost grip so easily, so it shook my confidence heading into Race 2. Today, I got another good start but I didn’t feel ready to push 100%, maybe just 95%. When Keito overtook me, I decided to just follow him, save my energy, and keep the tyre in good shape. On the last lap, I attacked him in the place where I knew I was really strong, and we got the win. This isn’t a perfect weekend, but it’s still a good one. There are 14 people behind me who made this possible, so this win is for them.” TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 2

Race 1 of Round 3 in the 2025 FIM Asia Road Racing Championship’s ASB1000 category saw local hero Keito Abe of SDG HARC-PRO. HONDA PHILIPPINES storm to a commanding victory at the Mobility Resort Motegi, Japan, delighting his home fans with a flawless performance on familiar ground. In qualifying, Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah of the JDT RACING TEAM claimed pole position with a blistering fastest lap time of 1’49.661s. Keito lined up alongside him in second with 1’49.871s, while Japan’s wild card rider Sho Nishimura of JAPAN POSTHonda Racing completed the front row with an impressive 1’49.907s. At the start, Hafizh Syahrin made a strong getaway for JDT RACING TEAM but was immediately overtaken by Nakarin Atiratphuvapat of HONDA RACING THAILAND. Soon, in the second turn, Hafizh’s front tyre clipped Nakarin’s rear tyre, forcing Hafizh wide and off the track. On lap 4, Keito made his move, overtaking Nakarin to seize the lead and began pushing hard to open up a gap at the front. Meanwhile, Hafizh, determined to recover, rejoined the race and fought back heroically to climb to eleventh position. Unfortunately, his charge ended heartbreakingly on lap 8 when he crashed while pushing to the limit, visibly frustrated trackside. The battle for the lead continued between Keito and Nakarin until lap 11, Nakarin crashed out, allowing Azroy Hakeem Anuar of IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA to move up to second and attempt to close the gap to Keito. Displaying exceptional composure and confidence on home asphalt, Keito Abe maintained a safe margin, keeping Azroy at bay and charging past the chequered flag to win the race at 24’06.975s. The IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA duo, Azroy and Zaqhwan, completed the podium at 24’07.671s and 24’10.535s respectively. Keito stated, “It was a really tough race because the tyres were quite slippery, so I had to stay calm and manage both my mindset and tyre condition all the way through. I’m so happy to win here on home soil, it feels amazing! I want to thank my team so much for their great work and for giving me a fantastic bike today.” TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 1