Asia Superbike 1000

Round 6 of the IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship 2025 produced an electrifying Race 1 in the ASB1000 class at Chang International Circuit, Buriram, Thailand, where Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah of JDT RACING TEAM claimed a breathtaking victory after a dramatic battle. At the drop of the lights, Muhammad Zaqhwan Zaidi of IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA surged to an early lead, but Nakarin Atiratphuvapat of HONDA RACING THAILAND quickly asserted himself at the front, with Keito Abe of SDG HARC-PRO. HONDA PHILIPPINES in third and Hafizh in fifth. Early drama unfolded as Zaqhwan served a long-lap penalty, dropping him to ninth. By Lap 3, Hafizh began asserting himself, setting the fastest lap 1’35.504s and moving into striking distance of the lead. What followed was a relentless exchange between Hafizh and Nakarin, as the two riders repeatedly overtook each other in a spectacular display of tactical brilliance. Keito remained a steady presence in the top three, while Andi Farid Izdihar of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM and Zaqhwan fought to keep pace in the front group. The race saw continuous position shuffles, with Hafizh exploiting his strength in Sector 2 to time his attacks perfectly. On Lap 12, Hafizh made the decisive move, overtaking both Nakarin and Andi to seize the lead. Nakarin, attempting to reclaim the position, made a costly mistake on the final turn and slipped off the podium. Hafizh crossed the line in 20’51.228s, with Andi securing second at 20’51.425s, and Keito completing the podium at 20’51.993s. Hafizh said, “I’m very surprised with my rhythm today because we tried many things during yesterday’s sessions, and we still couldn’t improve in the final sector. During the race, I changed my racing line and the hard work paid off. I knew I was strong in Sector 2, so I focused on staying in front of Andi and attacking Nakarin or Andi in that same area. This result is for all Malaysian fans, the team, and for myself, a reward for all the sacrifices during training away from my family.” TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 1 1. HAFIZH SYAHRIN ABDULLAH – JDT RACING TEAM (20’51.228s) 2. ANDI FARID IZDIHAR – ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM (20’51.425s) 3. KEITO ABE – SDG HARC-PRO. HONDA PHILIPPINES (20’51.993s) 4. NAKARIN ATIRATPHUVAPAT – HONDA RACING THAILAND (20’52.974s) 5. MUHAMMAD ZAQHWAN ZAIDI – IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA (20’58.280s)

Round 6 of the IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship 2025 roared into action today at the Chang International Circuit, Buriram, Thailand, as the ASB1000 class showcased intense battles for the fastest laps across three practice sessions. Malaysia’s Muhammad Zaqhwan Zaidi of IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA set the benchmark for the weekend, topping the combined practice results with a fastest lap of 1’35.521s in Practice 3, with a top speed of 298.3 km/h. Zaqhwan’s consistent pace and sharp performance put him in a strong position heading into tomorrow’s Qualifying session. Close behind, Thailand’s Nakarin Atiratphuvapat of HONDA RACING THAILAND secured second overall with 1’35.545s, while Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah of JDT RACING TEAM completed the top three at 1’35.636s. Fourth place went to Andi Farid Izdihar of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM with 1’35.982s, and Keito Abe of SDG HARC-PRO. HONDA PHILIPPINES rounded out the top five with 1’36.025s. Zaqhwan stated, “Overall, I’m quite happy with the progress today. I think the team did an excellent job, so my focus now is fully on tomorrow’s Qualifying and Race 1. My goal is, of course, to win the race, and I will give my best effort. From Practice 1 to Practice 3, I’ve consistently been in the top 3, which is encouraging. We are looking forward to a strong performance in tomorrow’s race.” TOP 5 FASTEST – COMBINED PRACTICE RESULT 1. MUHAMMAD ZAQHWAN ZAIDI – IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA (1’35.521s) 2. NAKARIN ATIRATPHUVAPAT – HONDA RACING THAILAND (1’35.545s) 3. HAFIZH SYAHRIN ABDULLAH – JDT RACING TEAM (1’35.636s) 4. ANDI FARID IZDIHAR – ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM (1’35.982s) 5. KEITO ABE – SDG HARC-PRO. HONDA PHILIPPINES (1’36.025s)

Round 5 of the IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship witnessed the racing rebellion and aggression of two strong characters in the Asia Superbike 1000cc, battling the storm towards the calm of victory however a rough patch in their aspirations came to a halt and when Hafizh Syahrin of JDT RACING TEAM and Zaqhwan Zaidi of IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA hit the grounds, his teammate Azroy Hakeem Anuar and Nakarin Atiratphuvapat of HONDA RACING THAILAND seized the moment. With that, the former won the race and the latter topped the chart. The contention however is not over with one final round to tick off before the end of the season. With Nakarin holding an advantage on Chang International Circuit, the narratives are bound to get trickier especially with point differences that can be tackled easily by the top four contenders. The Thai lad currently leads the chart with a 4-point advantage from Malaysian, Hafizh and while Keito and Zaqhwan share the same points, the Japanese has a better advantage in securing the victory bid without the long-lap penalty. The question is, can home-boy, Nakarin maximise his potentials and deflect the heat of rivalry from his closest contenders to not only maintain his current position but also redeem the championship award? The prospects seem near yet far more so with the proven credibility and progressive performance of his rivals. However, compelling in this story is Nakarin’s excellence and endurance on home-ground which has been established in Round 1 with his double-win. Will he be able keep pressure aside, stay focused and emulate the rewarding experience? Commenting on this, Nakarin said, “Pressure is inevitable. It is always there during the race more so when the competition gets stiffer. But I chose to take it as a motivation. The aim to stay focused throughout the weekend without any other distractions and to keep pushing forward. Apart from that, in any racing, it is equally important to stay consistent, avoid mistakes where possible and give 100% in every race. So, that is what I will keep doing till the end of the season. Of course, there will be some setbacks that has to be managed but that is all part of the game and for the season finale, I am well prepared for it.” “Both Hafizh and Keito are very strong contenders but at the moment, I am only working on my best performances. Chang circuit is home to me and I know every corner and every bump on the track like the back of my hands. It is a ground that I am accustomed to especially with my riding styles and techniques. It helps me ride is a smooth, fast and precise manner. Every lap here gives me the confidence that I need. Of course, I also have some challenges too like heat and tyre management. Everyone’s fast here so staying strong till the last lap will make a whole load of difference. The championship title is the goal but racing in ASB1000 itself is already rewarding. Competing with the top riders in Asia has not only helped me grow but shaped me to become a better rider. Next season, no plans at the moment but I want to finish this season strong first then await the opportunities that come next.”  

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)