Asia Superbike 1000

Stepping into the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship is never easy. For many riders, the jump into the ASB1000 category means competing against some of Asia’s fastest and most experienced riders who have spent years honing their craft at the highest level. For Mohd Fahmi Abdul Wahaf of FGRT PROJECT ONE, the challenge is even greater. Just a few years ago, Fahmi was not racing at all. Today, he lines up on the same grid as Asia’s elite in the ASB1000 category, a remarkable rise for someone who only began his racing journey in 2022. But the transition to continental-level racing has not been easy. After building his foundation in the MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship in MSBK1000 A category, Fahmi earned the opportunity to take the next step into Asia’s premier racing championship. Yet, entering the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship quickly exposed him to the reality of competing at the highest level. “After competing in the MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship for the past two years, I became more familiar with the racing environment and level of competition there. However, stepping into the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship was a completely different experience because the level of competition is extremely high, with many top professional riders from across Asia competing at the highest standard.” For a rider still relatively new to racing, adapting to ARRC’s pace, pressure, and competitiveness has been one of the steepest learning curves of his career. “The biggest challenge for me was adapting to that level of intensity and pressure, especially during my first season in the championship,” he admitted. Currently still finding his footing in the standings, Fahmi views every race weekend not through the lens of immediate results, but as part of a long-term journey of growth. Behind every session lies another opportunity to learn. “ARRC has taught me a lot about discipline, race mentality, and consistency. At this level, every small detail matters, from physical preparation and bike setup to mental focus throughout the race weekend.” Unlike national racing, where familiarity becomes an advantage, ARRC constantly forces riders to adapt, with different circuits, changing weather conditions, and unfamiliar rivals. For Fahmi, learning to adjust quickly has become essential. “Racing on different circuits across Asia has given me valuable experience. The opportunity to interact and learn from experienced professional riders has helped me gain more knowledge, confidence, and understanding of racing at a much higher level.” Despite the challenges and difficult moments that naturally come with competing in Asia’s toughest racing arena, Fahmi remains focused on progress rather than pressure. Because for him, the journey itself is already proof of how far he has come. From attending his first-ever track day in July 2022 to lining up in the ASB1000 category just a few years later, the learning curve may be steep, but the ambition remains strong. And while the standings may not yet reflect the rider he hopes to become, Fahmi believes every lap, every challenge, and every setback is helping shape the rider he is striving to become. For now, Fahmi keeps his mission simple: keep learning, keep adapting, and keep moving forward. Because in Asia’s toughest racing arena, growth is sometimes the biggest victory of all.

The ASB1000 category delivered another exciting battle at the Chang International Circuit, Buriram, Thailand as Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah of JDT RACING TEAM held off a strong Honda challenge to secure victory in Race 2 of Round 2 in the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship 2026. At the start, Muhammad Zaqhwan Zaidi of IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA made a strong launch to take the lead, followed closely by teammate Azroy Hakeem Anuar and Hafizh in third. Home rider Nakarin Atiratphuvapat of HONDA RACING THAILAND settled into fourth, while Keito Abe of SDG HARC-PRO. HONDA PHILIPPINES completed the top five. By Lap 2, Hafizh had moved into the lead after overtaking Zaqhwan, while Azroy remained in close contention in third. Behind them, Keito and Nakarin continued to stay within striking distance as the front group remained tightly packed. Hafizh continued to increase the pace, setting the fastest lap time of 1’35.788s on Lap 4 while defending several overtaking attempts from Zaqhwan. The battle behind also intensified as Keito briefly moved ahead of Azroy for third, though the Malaysian quickly reclaimed the position. On Lap 5, Azroy responded with a fastest lap of 1’35.673s and a top speed of 299.2km/h as the leading trio began to separate themselves from the chasing riders. A lap later, Azroy overtook Zaqhwan to move into second and immediately began chasing Hafizh at the front. However, the race took a turn on Lap 8 when Azroy crashed at Turn 8 while pushing hard to close the gap to Hafizh. The incident promoted Zaqhwan back into second, with Keito moving up to third and Nakarin into fourth. Despite being chased by Honda riders for much of the race, Hafizh remained calm and steadily built his advantage. By Lap 10, the JDT RACING TEAM rider had extended his lead to 3.017s, maintaining strong pace with a top speed of 295.9km/h. The fight for the podium intensified in the closing laps as Keito overtook Zaqhwan for second on Lap 11. On the final lap, Nakarin also moved ahead of Zaqhwan, while the Malaysian rider crashed at the final corner during an overtaking attempt. Unchallenged at the front, Hafizh crossed the finish line to claim victory in 24’01.995s. Keito secured second place in 24’04.743s, while Nakarin completed the podium on home soil in 24’05.477s. Hafizh shared, “I made a good start and entered the first corner in third position. I almost hit Azroy Hakeem Anuar because he braked a bit early at Turn 3, but thankfully I managed to avoid an accident. During the middle of the race, I struggled a little as the bike felt different, possibly due to the changing conditions from hot to cooler temperatures. I tried to understand the situation, stay calm, and control my pace. Luckily, toward the end of the race, I managed to set the fastest lap and create a good gap, which helped me control the race until the finish. Achieving four wins in a row feels really special, and this victory is for my team, my boss, HRH Tunku Mahkota Ismail, and everyone who has supported me. I also want to wish good luck to Johor Jewel in their finals tonight, and JDT football team. Seeing others from the same camp succeed gives me extra motivation to keep pushing and finish the season strongly. As I always say, hard work pays off. I trained hard in the heat, spent many hours cycling, and pushed myself to prepare for moments like this. Now, I just want to enjoy this moment, prepare mentally for the next race, and continue working hard. Thank you to all the Malaysian fans, this victory is for you.” TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 2 1. HAFIZH SYAHRIN ABDULLAH – JDT RACING TEAM (24’01.995s) 2. KEITO ABE – SDG HARC-PRO. HONDA PHILIPPINES (24’04.743s) 3. MUHAMMAD ZAQHWAN ZAIDI – IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA (24’05.477s) 4. NAKARIN ATIRATPHUVAPAT – HONDA RACING THAILAND (24’10.150s) 5. LACHLAN EPIS – SWIFT GROW RACING TEAM (24’12.771s)

The Race 1 of the ASB1000 category at Round 2 of the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship 2026 delivered a spectacular showdown at Chang International Circuit, Buriram, Thailand, as Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah of JDT RACING TEAM produced a calculated comeback ride to secure a commanding Race 1 victory after an intense battle unfolded at the front. Starting from fifth on the grid, Hafizh found himself chasing a relentless leading pack early on as pole-sitter Muhammad Zaqhwan Zaidi of IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA launched perfectly off the line to seize the holeshot. Teammate Azroy Hakeem Anuar slotted into second, while local hope Nakarin Atiratphuvapat of HONDA RACING THAILAND briefly held third ahead of Keito Abe of SDG HARC-PRO. HONDA PHILIPPINES. Hafizh and teammate Andi Farid Izdihar remained close behind, waiting for the right moment to strike. By Lap 2, the race pace intensified as Zaqhwan and Azroy attempted to establish control, but Keito soon inserted himself into the fight. Hafizh, meanwhile, remained composed in the blistering Buriram heat, carefully managing his pace and tyres while staying within touching distance of the leaders. Drama unfolded on Lap 4 when Keito overtook Azroy for second before capitalising on a mistake from Zaqhwan at the final corner to briefly inherit the race lead. From there, the race evolved into a breathtaking contest as positions changed repeatedly among the front-runners. The defining moment came on Lap 8, with clinical precision, Hafizh carved his way through the leading group, executing a stunning move to overtake both Keito and Zaqhwan in a single sequence to move into second place. Just one lap later, the defending champion completed his charge, sweeping past Azroy to take over at the front. Once clear, Hafizh began to stretch his advantage while chaos continued behind him. By Lap 11, Hafizh had opened a gap of more than one second, showcasing the experience and race management that made him last season’s champion. After 14 laps of relentless pressure and tactical racing, Hafizh crossed the finish line in 24’06.445s to secure a memorable victory and extend his remarkable run to three consecutive podium finishes. Behind him, Azroy held off fierce late pressure to finish second at 24’09.071s, while Keito secured a hard-earned third place at 24’09.321s. The battle for the podium remained alive until the final corner as Andi launched a brave attack on Azroy, only to run wide and ultimately settle for fifth behind Zaqhwan. Hafizh expressed, “I really appreciate everyone around me who pushed me hard during training and preparation. The heat training helped a lot in today’s tough conditions. Earlier, during the long run, I almost crashed at the second-last corner, but thankfully I managed to save it and came back stronger with a faster lap. During the race, I focused on keeping my rhythm and staying patient. Honestly, my target was not the podium. I was aiming for a top-four finish. But when I saw the riders in front battling and unable to pull away, I knew I had a chance, so I started making my moves and thankfully, we did it again, three wins in a row. It feels really special. This result is for all my fans, my boss, HRH Tunku Mahkota Ismail, and my family, who have always supported me and been my backbone. Alhamdulillah, all the hard work has paid off.” TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 1 1. HAFIZH SYAHRIN ABDULLAH – JDT RACING TEAM (24’06.445s) 2. AZROY HAKEEM ANUAR – IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA (24’09.071s) 3. KEITO ABE – SDG HARC-PRO. HONDA PHILIPPINES (24’09.321s) 4. MUHAMMAD ZAQHWAN ZAIDI – IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA (24’09.723s) 5. ANDI FARID IZDIHAR – JDT RACING TEAM (24’09.814s)

The premier ASB1000 category exploded into life on the opening day of Round 2 in the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship 2026 as the region’s fastest riders traded blows in a breathtaking display of speed at Chang International Circuit, Buriram, Thailand. After three intense practice sessions and countless lead changes on the timesheets, it was Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah of JDT RACING TEAM who emerged on top, delivering a stunning late charge in Practice 3 to secure the fastest combined time of 1’35.742s. The Malaysian ace had steadily built momentum throughout the day before unleashing his strongest performance in the final session, finally breaking into the 1’35s barrier to take control of a fiercely contested field. Hafizh’s pace not only underlined his growing confidence aboard the superbike machinery, but also firmly established him as one of the riders to beat heading into qualifying and the races. However, the fight at the front remains incredibly tight. SAVITAR TEAM ASIA rider Rocco Sessler produced one of the standout performances of the day by storming into second overall with a brilliant 1’35.888s effort in Practice 3. The young rider continued to impress with his consistency and composure, ending the day just 0.146s behind Hafizh in what quickly became a thrilling battle for supremacy. IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA also demonstrated formidable pace throughout all three sessions. Azroy Hakeem Anuar climbed to third overall after clocking 1’35.997s in Practice 3, while teammate Muhammad Zaqhwan Zaidi, who had topped both Practice 1 and Practice 2 earlier in the day, eventually settled for fourth overall with a best time of 1’36.005s. Zaqhwan had initially set the benchmark in Practice 1 with a rapid 1’36.530s before improving further to 1’36.005s in Practice 2, consistently showcasing strong race pace and remarkable straight-line speed. Meanwhile, Azroy grabbed attention after recording the highest top speed of the day at a staggering 294.30km/h during Practice 3, highlighting the sheer intensity of the ASB1000 battle around the long straights. Completing the top five overall was Indonesia’s Andi Farid Izdihar of JDT RACING TEAM, who remained a constant threat throughout the day and finished with a best lap of 1’36.165s from Practice 2. The Indonesian rider consistently hovered near the top of the standings and added further depth to an already stacked front-running group. Earlier in the day, local hopes were lifted by Thailand’s Nakarin Atiratphuvapat, who briefly featured inside the top five in Practice 1 for HONDA RACING THAILAND, while Japan’s Keito Abe also impressed in Practice 2 by placing fourth for SDG HARC-PRO. HONDA PHILIPPINES. Hafizh stated, “Alhamdulillah, we completed Day 1 with a really positive feeling overall. We had a strong start from FP1 until FP3 and managed to work well through our programme together as a team. I had a small crash in FP1 while trying to understand the limit and push a bit harder. Sometimes these things happen in racing, but thankfully everything was okay and we managed to come back stronger afterwards. In the afternoon, we improved the feeling on the bike and completed two long runs, including one during the hottest part of the day, which was important for us to understand the bike and tyre performance better. So far, everything looks quite under control, but we’ll continue studying the data tonight and look for every area where we can still improve. Big thanks to the whole team because today’s result came from everyone’s hard work together. Hopefully tomorrow we can continue this momentum and make a strong start in qualifying.” TOP 5 FASTEST – COMBINED PRACTICE 1. HAFIZH SYAHRIN ABDULLAH – JDT RACING TEAM (1’35.742s) 2. ROCCO SESSLER – SAVITAR TEAM ASIA (1’35.888s) 3. AZROY HAKEEM ANUAR – IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA (1’35.997s) 4. MUHAMMAD ZAQHWAN ZAIDI – IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA (1’36.005s) 5. ANDI FARID IZDIHAR – JDT RACING TEAM (1’36.165s)

Nakarin Atiratphuvapat returns to Chang International Circuit for Round 2 of the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship 2026 with one objective, to reset his campaign and reignite his fight in the ASB1000 category. Representing HONDA RACING THAILAND, Nakarin arrives on home soil looking to put behind a challenging opening round at Sepang International Circuit, where circumstances beyond his control left him playing catch-up from the outset. A delayed arrival of machinery meant Nakarin missed crucial official testing time, leaving the team with limited opportunity to fine-tune their setup ahead of the race weekend. The impact was evident, as he managed sixth place in Race 1 before a crash in Race 2 saw him rejoin the race and salvage only three points, ending the round ninth overall. “Round 1 in Sepang was quite difficult for me. We didn’t get the setup where we wanted it to be, and adapting to the track conditions was not easy. Missing a day of testing also put us one step behind the others from the beginning. Finishing ninth is definitely not the result we were aiming for, but at the same time, we learned a lot. Now it’s about using that data and coming back stronger.” The return to Buriram, however, offers a very different outlook. It is a circuit where Nakarin has delivered before, including a memorable Race 2 victory in last season’s finale, even though he ultimately fell just three points short of the 2025 championship title. This time, he is determined to make full use of his home advantage. “Racing at home is always something special for me. I know this track well, and I’ve had strong results here in the past. The plan is to maximise that advantage, especially in qualifying. If we can start from the front, it gives us a real opportunity to control the race. But at the same time, the level of competition this year is very high, so I won’t underestimate anyone.” Rather than feeling the weight of expectation, Nakarin views his home round as a chance to reset and prove his true pace. “I see this more as an opportunity than pressure. Of course, racing in front of home fans comes with expectations, but I try to turn that into motivation. The support here gives me extra energy, and it makes me even more hungry to fight for the win.” Buriram’s demanding conditions will also play a crucial role across the weekend, with high temperatures and unpredictable weather. “The weather here is always tough. It’s very hot and physically demanding, and recently there’s been some rain as well. I’ve been focusing a lot on my fitness, adapting to the heat, and making sure I stay well hydrated. Overall, I think we are well prepared to handle whatever conditions come our way.” With the ASB1000 field proving to be more competitive than ever, Nakarin remains realistic, but quietly confident in his ability to fight back. “The level this season is very high, and every rider is strong. But I believe we have the potential to be in the front group. The goal is to improve step by step, stay consistent, and fight for podiums in every round.” After a difficult start, Chang International Circuit now represents more than just another race weekend for Nakarin. It is a chance to turn momentum, reclaim confidence, and remind the field exactly what he is capable of on home ground.

Round 1 of the IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship 2026 at the Sepang International Circuit, Malaysia, witnessed a masterclass performance in the ASB1000 Race 2 as Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah of JDT RACING TEAM stormed to victory, celebrating his first double win since 2024 in front of a home crowd. At the start, Hafizh launched brilliantly off the line to seize the early lead, immediately putting himself in control of the race. Keito Abe of SDG HARC-PRO. HONDA PHILIPPINES stayed close in pursuit, while Lachlan Epis of SWIFT GROW RACING TEAM slotted into third ahead of Nakarin Atiratphuvapat of HONDA RACING THAILAND and Mohammad Adenanta Putra of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM. By Lap 3, Hafizh underlined his dominance, clocking the fastest lap of 2’05.621s at a blistering top speed of 288.8 km/h, with Keito just 0.888s behind, pushing hard at 290.3 km/h in pursuit. The race began to settle into rhythm by Lap 4, with Hafizh leading ahead of Keito, Lachlan, Adenanta, Muhammad Zaqhwan Zaidi of IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA, and Andi Farid Izdihar of JDT RACING TEAM. As the laps progressed, Hafizh steadily pulled away from the field. By Lap 8, he had built a commanding 4.792s advantage over Keito, with Lachlan, Zaqhwan, and Andi battling fiercely behind. A lap later, the gap extended further to 5.203s, while Andi made his move past Zaqhwan to climb into fourth. On Lap 10, Andi continued his charge, overtaking Lachlan and setting his sights on Keito in second, as the JDT RACING TEAM duo began to assert their presence at the front. By Lap 11, Hafizh’s lead had grown to 6.788s, while Andi closed to just 0.744s behind Keito. The pressure intensified further on Lap 12, with Andi narrowing the gap to just 0.215s, setting up a crucial battle for second place. The decisive move came on Lap 13, when Andi executed a brilliant overtake on Keito at Turn 9, promoting himself into second and creating a provisional 1-2 for JDT RACING TEAM. Keito dropped to third, with Zaqhwan and Azroy Hakeem Anuar of IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA rounding out the top five. On the final lap, Hafizh was untouchable, cruising to victory with a dominant margin of 29’35.664s. Behind him, the fight for second went down to the wire. Despite Andi’s strong defence, Keito launched a last-gasp move on the final straight, snatching second place by just 0.006s, finishing at 29’40.443s, with Andi forced to settle for third at 29’40.449s. Hafizh said, “The first win was nice, I had to do it twice, and we did it today. I can say it’s a perfect weekend with perfect pace. I stayed focused on my rhythm and didn’t look back. On the last lap, I actually ran out of fuel, but luckily I managed it to the finish. Thank you to my team, VAMOS! Special thanks to TMJ for this journey, and congratulations on the newborn. This victory is for all Malaysians who came to support us, even those who came straight after the football match last night. We delivered again as a team with P1 and P3. I’ve sacrificed a lot, training every day, cycling, gym work, riding… Everything! This double win is what I’ve been chasing since last year, and finally, we’ve done it.” TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 2 1. HAFIZH SYAHRIN ABDULLAH – JDT RACING TEAM (29’35.664s) 2. KEITO ABE – SDG HARC-PRO. HONDA PHILIPPINES (29’40.443s) 3. ANDI FARID IZDIHAR – JDT RACING TEAM (29’40.449s) 4. MUHAMMAD ZAQHWAN ZAIDI – IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA (29’43.402s) 5. AZROY HAKEEM ANUAR – IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA (29’43.523s)

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)

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)

After a stellar 2025 campaign that saw him finish third overall in the fiercely competitive ASB1000 category, Keito Abe of SDG HARC-PRO. HONDA PHILIPPINES is back for the 2026 season with a hunger to climb even higher. Riding in one of the toughest fields in Asia, Keito has emerged not just as a talented rider but as a thoughtful competitor, one who blends skill, discipline, and a healthy dose of humor on and off the track. Reflecting on last year, Keito emphasizes the foundation behind his success. “Looking back at 2025, what I felt was most important was teamwork. The bike is just one part. It’s the people around you, the engineers, the mechanics, the strategists, everyone plays a role. Last season taught me to communicate more, to understand the bike better, and to push myself while trusting my team. Without them, none of the podiums would have been possible.” With riders like Nakarin Atiratphuvapat of HONDA RACING THAILAND, Andi Farid Izdihar and Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah of JDT RACING TEAM in the field, Keito knows the competition will be intense. “Asia is full of very strong riders. But my team was the 2024 champion, and this is our second season together. I want to make an even better bike, and we are working hard on communication – between me and the engineers, and me and the bike. That connection is what will help me fight at the front.” The season opener at Sepang International Circuit promises high-octane action, but Keito keeps a grounded, and playful perspective on the season ahead. “Can I imagine how the season will end? Honestly, I can’t imagine at all! Hahaha! But that’s the fun side of the racing. It’s unpredictable. My goal is to improve every race, push hard, and see where we land at the end of the year.” The entry of Mohammad Adenanta Putra of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM into ASB1000 adds another layer of excitement. Keito is full of respect for his fellow Honda rider. “He is a very strong rider, and I really respect him. It will be exciting to see how we push each other. Healthy competition like this makes me sharper, and it’s fun for everyone watching too.” Off-season preparations have been intense, reflecting Keito’s commitment to growth. “I tried a lot of things. Physical training, riding training, technical work with the team… Really, a lot,” he explains. “The off-season was a chance to discover things about myself, the bike, and how to ride smarter. Every session taught me something new, and I feel more ready than ever to battle at the front.” With confidence in his team, an upgraded bike, and a renewed mindset, Keito steps into 2026 ready to challenge the top riders of ASB1000. “Every season is a new story. I just want to push myself, enjoy the ride, and leave everything on the track. Hopefully, we can climb higher than last year. But if not, at least I can say I tried everything.”