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VICENTE BAGGED THE HAT-TRICK

Race 2 of TVS Racing International Championship category at the Mandalika International Circuit in Round 4 of the LFN FIM Asia Road Racing Championship 2026 saw Vicente Perez Selfa from Spain claimed a spectacular hat-trick victory after a tense final-lap showdown. At the start, Luis Miguel from Spain took the early lead, followed closely by Portugal’s Pedrinho Matos, Vicente, and Malaysia’s Mohd Ramdan Rosli. By Lap 1, Vicente took charge of the group, but the order rapidly shifted on Lap 2 as Pedrinho, Luis, and Ramdan all pushed past him. Ramdan successfully secured the lead on Lap 3, prompting Vicente to respond with a 1’45.288s fastest lap. Vicente smoothly reclaimed the front on Lap 4, while India’s Sarthak Chavan temporarily took fifth place from Japan’s Jean Kento Turner. Pedrinho passed Vicente on Lap 5 and held a slim 0.040s lead as they crossed the line for Lap 6. Sarthak unfortunately slowed with an issue, allowing Jean to recover the fifth spot. While Vicente moved back to the front on Lap 7. Pedrinho led into the final lap. In a frantic battle, Ramdan and Luis both overtook Vicente, dropping the Spanish rider to fourth. However, Vicente remained patient until the final turn. Utilizing a bold exit strategy, he perfectly slipstreamed past Ramdan, Luis, and Pedrinho on the final straight, crossing the finish line first at 14’12.052s. Pedrinho took second at 14’12.312s, narrowly edging Luis at 14’12.323s in third. Ramdan finished fourth, while Jean held off a late charge from Malaysia’s Md Naqib Rifqi to finish fifth. Vicente shared, “The track conditions out there today were definitely an improvement, but it was still a very challenging race for us. We decided to try a slightly different direction with the bike’s setup, and honestly, I didn’t feel completely comfortable with it. Because of that missing feeling, I just didn’t have the raw speed to put together a fast single lap or pull away from the pack.” “Knowing I was missing that ultimate pace, I had to rely heavily on my racecraft. I stayed patient, sit right behind the leader in second place, and study their lines. I managed the tires perfectly, waiting until the final lap to finally make my ultimate push. To execute that plan perfectly and still take the victory feels absolutely incredible!” “Winning a race when you aren’t feeling 100 percent comfortable on the bike makes this achievement even more rewarding. I am so deeply happy and proud of this result. I want to share this joy with my amazing team for all their hard work, our loyal sponsors, and of course, my family. This victory belongs to all of us!” TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 2 1. VICENTE PEREZ SELFA – SPAIN (14’12.052s) 2. PEDRINHO MATOS – PORTUGAL (14’12.312s) 3. LUIS MIGUEL – SPAIN (14’12.323s) 4. MOHD RAMDAN ROSLI – MALAYSIA (14’12.626s) 5. JEAN KENTO TURNER – JAPAN (14’20.788s)

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VICENTE CONQUERED MANDALIKA

Round 4 of the LFN FIM Asia Road Racing Championship 2026 got underway in Indonesia got underway at the Mandalika International Circuit, Indonesia. In Race 1 of the TVS Racing International Championship, Spain’s Vicente Perez Selfa converted his pole position into a hard-earned victory. In Qualifying session, Vicente clocked a 1’44.975s to secure pole, narrowly edging out Portugal’s Pedrinho Matos at 1’45.028s and fellow Spaniard Luis Miguel at 1’45.079s. Malaysia’s Mohd Ramdan Rosli and India’s Chiranth Vishwanath completed the top five on the grid. The beginning of the race saw Pedrinho capitalized with a strong launch to take the initial lead. However, the order quickly shuffled. Luis aggressively overtook for the top position, while Chiranth and South Africa’s Oratilwe Phiri slotted into second and third. By the second lap, Luis Miguel maintained his lead, with Ramdan moving into second. Vicente found himself pushed back to fourth, right behind Oratilwe, forcing the polesitter to recalculate his strategy early on. Vicente did not wait long to respond. On lap three, he surged to the front, bringing Pedrinho and Luis with him. The lead continued to exchange hands. Pedrinho moved back to the front on lap 4, but Vicente reclaimed the advantage on lap 5, with Ramdan staying firmly in the mix. India’s Sarthak Chavan also made his presence known, battling firmly within the top five during the middle portion of the race. As the race progressed into its closing stages, the tension mounted. Vicente held his lead through lap 6 and lap 7, but the margins were incredibly thin. Pedrinho trailed by a mere 0.126s, ready to strike. Meanwhile, Japan’s Jean Kento Turner began a quiet but crucial charge, picking off Chiranth Vishwanath before overtaking Mohd Ramdan Rosli to claim fourth place just before the final lap. On lap 8, Luis made an early move to steal the lead, sparking a fierce, aggressive battle among the top five. Vicente, Pedrinho, Luis, Jean, and Ramdan traded positions through the final sectors. Relying on his precise braking and superior line choices, Vicente successfully navigated the chaos to cross the finish line first with a time of 14’19.984s. Pedrinho secured second place at 14’20.112s, while Luis rounded out the podium at 14’20.232s. Vicente stated, “The race was absolutely amazing, a true battle from the very first lap right down to the checkered flag. Going into the race, I had a very clear strategy in my mind. My plan was to manage the pace and make sure I was staying at the front to control the flow on that crucial last lap. However, racing is unpredictable, and Luis made a strong move to overtake me early on, which forced me to completely adapt my game plan on the fly.” “Going into that final lap, I pushed the bike to the absolute limit. I was giving it every ounce of energy I had to reclaim the lead, but Luis was right there, fighting side-by-side with me. Pedrinho also had a great rhythm and closed in on us, turning the end of the race into a massive, tense battle between the pack. It all came down to the final corner. I knew I had to make a decisive move, so I shot into the gap and really went for it on the brakes. Crossing that finish line first, seeing the checkered flag, it was an overwhelming rush of relief and joy. I am incredibly proud of this victory. The fight was so intense, and it was just a fantastic race to be a part of.” TOP 5 – RACE 1 1. VICENTE PEREZ SELFA – SPAIN (14’19.984s) 2. PEDRINHO MATOS – PORTUGAL (14’20.112s) 3. LUIS MIGUEL – SPAIN (14’20.232s) 4. JEAN KENTO TURNER – JAPAN (14’20.235s) 5. MOHD RAMDAN ROSLI – MALAYSIA (14’20.342s)

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LUIS’S STUNNING COMEBACK

The LFN FIM Asia Road Racing Championship 2026 resumed at the Mandalika International Circuit in Indonesia for Round 4, where the TVS Racing International Championship category saw riders from across the globe tackle the challenging layout in practice sessions. It was Luis Miguel from Spain who emerged at the top of the combined timesheets, edging out Malaysia’s Mohd Ramdan Rosli by a narrow margin. The Practice 1 in the morning, Ramdan quickly found a comfortable rhythm as he set an impressive early benchmark of 1’46.489s to comfortably topped the opening session. Behind him, Chiranth Vishwanath from India showed strong early pace to secure second place with a 1’46.712s. Jean Kento Turner from Japan, Jhon A Lopez C from Colombia, and Oratilwe Phiri from South Africa filled out the rest of the top five. The dynamic of the leaderboard evolved in Practice 2, the Spanish contingent found another gear, adapting well to the afternoon conditions. Luis put together a flawless lap to clock a 1’46.462s, which ultimately became the fastest time of the entire day. Ramdan also managed to improve upon his morning time, posting a 1’46.483s, but the Malaysian rider fell just 0.021s short of retaining the top spot. Vicente Perez Selfa of Spain secured the third-fastest time of the session at 1’46.534s. Meanwhile, Sarthak Chavan and Chiranth Vishwanath from India rounded out the top five for the afternoon. The Combined Practice standings saw the times from Practice 2 proved to be the most decisive. Luis’s afternoon effort firmly secured his place at the top of the board heading into the Qualifying session. Ramdan’s consistency rewarded him with a solid second place overall, proving he is a formidable threat tomorrow. Vicente’s Practice 2 time held up for third, while Chiranth’s morning time of 1’46.712s kept him in fourth overall, just ahead of his compatriot Sarthak. Luis said, “The day certainly didn’t start the way we had planned. During Practice 1, I had a crash at Turn 8 while trying to find the limit of the track. Thankfully, I am completely okay, but it is always a frustrating feeling because you never want to lose valuable track time or give your team extra work so early in the weekend.” “However, my mechanics were absolutely incredible. They worked quickly to get the bike repaired, and we actually used that downtime to make a few crucial setup changes based on my initial feedback. When I rolled out for Practice 2, the bike felt completely different in the best way possible. I immediately had the confidence to push hard again, and to bounce back from a morning crash to set the fastest overall lap time is just a fantastic feeling.” “It is a huge reward for the team’s hard work and quick thinking. Going from a crash to P1 gives me a massive boost of motivation. With the package we have now, I believe we are in a strong position to do a very good job tomorrow.” TOP 5 FASTEST – COMBINED PRACTICE 1. LUIS MIGUEL – SPAIN (1’46.462s) 2. MOHD RAMDAN ROSLI – MALAYSIA (1’46.483s) 3. VICENTE PEREZ SELFA – SPAIN (1’46.534s) 4. CHIRANTH VISHWANATH – INDIA (1’46.712s) 5. SARTHAK CHAVAN – INDIA (1’46.833s)

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CHIRANTH: I’M HERE TO DOMINATE

The LFN FIM Asia Road Racing Championship 2026 heads to the spectacular Mandalika International Circuit, Indonesia for Round 4, and the India’s rising star, Chiranth Vishwanath, in the TVS Racing International Championship, is armed with the momentum of a maiden victory and intent to dominate. Chiranth etched his name in the history books during Round 3 at the Mobility Resort Motegi, Japan. In a breathtaking Race 1, he emerged victorious after a dramatic final-lap sprint. Recovering from a mid-race setback where contact dropped him to fifth in the fifth lap, Chiranth showcased immense grit, passing three riders on the final lap to claim the top step of the podium. This monumental achievement not only marked his first win in the championship but also established him as the first Indian rider to win a race at the iconic Motegi circuit. In Race 2, a similar contact issue cost him two spots, ultimately securing him a fourth-place finish. Currently sitting fourth in the overall championship standings, Chiranth’s progression throughout the season has been undeniable. Ahead of the crucial Round 4 weekend, Chiranth shared his thoughts, “It means exactly what I knew was coming. I’ve been putting in the work, the early mornings, the relentless training, and now everyone gets to see the result. Crossing that line first at Motegi was incredible, but it’s just the beginning. I didn’t come here to win one race and fade away. I’m here to dominate, to leave a mark, and to show that Indian riders belong at the absolute front.” When asked about his growth in the TVS Racing International Championship category, he highlighted his evolution. “The transformation has been massive. Every single round, I’ve become faster and, more importantly, smarter. I’m learning the nuances of the TVS Apache RR 310, understanding how to extract every ounce of performance, and I’m studying my rivals. The race craft, the patience, it’s all evolving. I’m definitely not the same rider who started the season in Buriram. I’m sharper, and I’m hungrier.” The recent victory has undoubtedly boosted his confidence. “Honestly, my confidence was already high. You have to believe you can win before you actually do. But standing on that top step? Winning just gives everyone else a reminder of what I’m capable of. It proves the pace is real, and we’re bringing that exact same fire to Indonesia.” Chiranth is enthusiastic about the Mandalika International Circuit. “I love it. I thrive on tracks that reward pure commitment, and Mandalika circuit does exactly that. The flowing sections and the high-speed corners demand everything from a rider. This is the kind of track where bravery pays off, and it’s the exact style of racing I enjoy most.” His objective for the weekend is uncompromising. “The goal is simple and unchanged: fight for the win. Every lap, every practice session, every single opportunity counts. I’m not showing up just to make up the numbers or settle for points. I’m showing up to leave with trophies.” Acknowledging the competition, he noted, “The biggest challenge will always be myself. The competition is incredibly tough, riders like Vicente and Ramdan are always pushing the limits. But if I stay focused, execute my race plan, and maintain my discipline, I know I can control my own race.” Regarding race strategy, he remains steadfast. “No adjustments. The bike felt fantastic in Japan, and we know our base setup works. We’ll fine-tune it to Mandalika’s grip levels, but the overall strategy remains the same, I’ll push hard, race smart, and attack when it counts.”

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PERFECT STRATEGY PUT VICENTE ON TOP

TVS Racing International Championship at Round 3 of the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship 2026 at Mobility Resort Motegi, Japan, saw Spain’s Vicente Perez Selfa deliver a commanding performance to claim victory in Race 2. Vicente executed a calculated strategy, breaking away from the field and crossing the finish line with a comfortable margin after eight laps of intense competition. The race began with Portugal’s Pedrinho Matos making a solid start to claim the holeshot, leading Colombia’s Jhon A. Lopez C and South Africa’s Oratilwe Phiri through the opening corners. Vicente settled into fourth place, with Race 1 winner Chiranth Vishwanath of India closely following in fifth. Pedrinho controlled the early stages and set the pace on Lap 2 with a fastest lap of 2’12.764s, but on Lap 3, Vicente posted a new fastest lap of 2’06.366s before making a decisive move into the lead. Pedrinho remained close behind, while Oratilwe continued to hold third ahead of Jhon and Malaysia’s Md Naqib Rifqi, who had climbed into the top five. Once at the front, Vicente began to stamp his authority on the race. He lowered the lap record again on Lap 4 with a 2’05.579s before going even faster on Lap 5 with a stunning 2’05.000s. Behind him, positions continued to change as Chiranth moved into second place and the chasing pack battled fiercely for the remaining podium positions. On Lap 6, Vicente recorded another fastest lap of 2’04.997s. The Spaniard’s relentless pace allowed him to open a remarkable 3.513s advantage over the pursuing group, effectively ending any hopes of a late challenge. In the closing stages, Vicente remained firmly in control at the front while the battle behind intensified. Pedrinho fought hard to secure second place, while Chiranth and Oratilwe engaged in a thrilling contest for the final podium position. Vicente crossed the finish line in 16’53.063s to claim a well-deserved victory, finishing 2.652s clear of Pedrinho. Oratilwe completed the podium after edging Chiranth in the battle for third, clocking 16’56.116s. Vicente commented: “I changed my strategy for this race. The plan was to push hard right from the start and try to build a strong pace in the opening laps, and fortunately everything worked exactly as we had hoped. The strategy was perfect and allowed me to stay in control throughout the race. I’m really happy with the result and grateful to the team for all their hard work. Of course, there is still room for improvement. We need to keep working on the bike and continue refining my riding style so that we can be even stronger. This result gives us a lot of confidence, and now our focus is on carrying this momentum into the next round and fighting for another good result.” TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 2 1. VICENTE PEREZ SELFA – SPAIN (16’53.063s) 2. PEDRINHO MATOS – PORTUGAL (16’55.715s) 3. ORATILWE PHIRI – SOUTH AFRICA (16’56.116s) 4. CHIRANTH VISHWANATH – INDIA (16’56.296s) 5. LEEANDRO PARADES – PHILIPPINES (16’57.124s)

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VICENTE SECURED MOTEGI POLE

The battle for pole position in the TVS Racing International Championship delivered a thrilling showcase of global talent at Mobility Resort Motegi, Japan, with Spain’s Vicente Perez Selfa emerging on top after a Combined Qualifying session at Round 3 of the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship 2026. Featuring riders from across the world, the championship once again demonstrated its international appeal as lap times tumbled throughout Practice and Qualifying session. In the end, it was Vicente who produced the decisive lap, clocking an impressive 2’05.190s to secure pole position for the opening race of the weekend. South Africa’s Oratilwe Phiri set the early benchmark in Practice 1, stopping the clock at 2’06.171s while also recording the highest speed of the session at 202.627kph. The margin at the top was thin, with Vicente just 0.059s adrift in second, followed closely by fellow Spaniard Luis Miguel. Colombia’s Jhon A Lopez C and Portugal’s Pedrinho Matos completed a tightly packed top five, underlining the competitiveness of the field. The momentum shifted in Practice 2 when India’s Chiranth Vishwanath stormed to the top with a 2’05.709s lap, becoming the first rider of the weekend to break into the 2’05s range. Malaysia’s Mohd Ramdan Rosli secured second ahead of Luis Miguel, while Vicente remained firmly in contention despite ending the session fifth. In Qualifying Group A, Portugal’s Pedrinho Matos stole the spotlight with a remarkable 2’04.976s lap, becoming the first rider of the weekend to dip below the 2’05s barrier, while Malaysia’s Md Naqib Rifqi secured second in the group ahead of Japan’s Jean Kento Turner. Then, in Qualifying Group B, Vicente responded with a blistering 2’05.190s effort to claim the fastest combined time of the day. The result secured him pole position ahead of Pedrinho, whose earlier benchmark remained good enough for second overall. The fight behind them was equally fierce. Colombia’s Jhon produced a standout lap to secure third on the grid, just 0.160s shy of pole position, while Chiranth maintained his strong momentum throughout the weekend to claim fourth. Luis Miguel completed a strong showing for Spain in fifth, ensuring two Spanish riders inside the top five. The final combined qualifying standings underlined the remarkable depth of talent in the field, with riders from different nations filling the first five grid positions and less than six-tenths of a second covering them all. Vicente said, “I’m really happy to finish the day on pole position. We executed our strategy perfectly today. The team made several modifications to the bike throughout the sessions, and we knew we had the pace to put in a fast lap if everything came together. It wasn’t just about being quick, but also about managing the session well and choosing the right moment to push, and we did exactly that. The feeling with the bike improved every time we went out on track, so I’m very pleased with the work we have done so far. Tomorrow is a new challenge, but I believe we have a strong package and the potential to fight for the victory. Of course, the competition is very close, so we need to stay focused and keep working hard. For now, I’m just enjoying the moment and looking forward to the races. It has been a great start to the weekend, and hopefully we can continue this momentum tomorrow.” TOP 5 FASTEST – COMBINED QUALIFYING 1. VICENTE PEREZ SELFA – SPAIN (2’05.190s) 2. PEDRINHO MATOS – PORTUGAL (2’05.337s) 3. JHON A LOPEZ C – COLOMBIA (2’05.350s) 4. CHIRANTH VISHWANATH – INDIA (2’05.519s) 5. LUIS MIGUEL – SPAIN (2’05.704s)

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SARTHAK BOUNCED BACK IN RACE 2

The TVS Racing International Championship produced another close contest at the Chang International Circuit, Buriram, as Race 2 of Round 2 in the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship 2026 saw India’s Sarthak Chavan return to winning form after a difficult start to the weekend. The race began with Mohd Ramdan Rosli of Malaysia getting a strong launch off the line to take the early lead, but Spain’s Luis Miguel quickly responded by taking over at Turn 1. Behind them, Sarthak remained in the leading group alongside Portugal’s Pedrinho Matos as the fight at the front intensified. By Lap 2, Pedrinho moved into the lead while Sarthak and South Africa’s Oratilwe Phiri kept the pressure on. Ramdan dropped back briefly to sixth position but steadily worked his way back into contention. Lap 3 saw Ramdan regain the lead under pressure from Luis, Colombia’s Jhon A Lopez C and Malaysia’s Md Naqib Rifqi, with the front group remaining tightly packed. On Lap 4, Jhon briefly led the race while Ramdan responded by setting the fastest lap of 1’51.746s. A lap later, Sarthak answered with a quicker pace of 1’50.765s, putting himself back into the fight for victory. With three laps remaining, the battle for the lead remained wide open as Sarthak, Luis, Ramdan, Pedrinho and Naqib exchanged positions in a closely contested fight. The decisive moment came on the final lap when Luis and Oratilwe crashed at Turn 6 while battling for position, ending their challenge for a podium finish. At the front, Sarthak stayed composed and made his move in the final corner to secure victory. Ramdan crossed the line just 0.073s behind in second place, while Pedrinho completed the podium only 0.088s adrift of the winner. Sarthak claimed the win in 14’58.040s, followed by Ramdan in second at 14’58.113s, while Pedrinho secured third place with a time of 14’58.128s. Sarthak said, “Indeed, it was a great race and once again one of my best races here in Thailand. After what happened yesterday in qualifying and a very tough race 1, I knew I had to bounce back stronger and prove to myself that I could fight again. It was not an easy challenge, but I stayed focused and kept believing until the very end. I think we did a really good job today. In the final corner, I managed to make my move and outdo the other riders, which made the result even more special and emotional for me. I’m very happy with the performance and proud of how we fought back after a difficult start. A special thank you to TVS Racing, my parents, and all the sponsors who have supported me throughout this journey. Their trust and encouragement mean everything to me. In the championship, I’m still in the fight, and I will continue giving my best because my goal is to fight for the overall championship title this year.” TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 2 1. SARTHAK CHAVAN – INDIA (14’58.040s) 2. MOHD RAMDAN ROSLI – MALAYSIA (14’58.113s) 3. PEDRINHO MATOS – Portugal (14’58.128s) 4. MD NAQIB RIFQI – MALAYSIA (14’58.281s) 5. JEAN KENTO TURNER – JAPAN (14’58.975s)

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LUIS EDGED EPIC DUEL

The Race 1 of the TVS Racing International Championship at Round 2 of the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship 2026 delivered exactly what fans had hoped for at the Chang International Circuit, Buriram, fearless overtakes and a breathtaking finish decided by just 0.004s. After securing pole position earlier in the day with a commanding lap of 1’50.262s, Malaysia’s Mohd Ramdan Rosli looked poised to convert speed into silverware. But Spain’s Luis Miguel had other ideas. Launching brilliantly from second on the grid, Luis seized the holeshot and immediately stamped his authority on the race. Ramdan tucked closely behind while South Africa’s Oratilwe Phiri quickly established himself as a serious contender, forming an early three-rider fight at the front. Yet the momentum shifted on Lap 2. Ramdan struck decisively to snatch the lead, igniting what would become a relentless tactical duel. Behind them, the chasing pack refused to let the leaders escape, with India’s Rakshith Shihari Dave joining the fight and constantly reshuffling the order in a tightly packed lead group. By Lap 3, Luis fired back with intent, setting the fastest lap of the race at 1’51.300s as he shadowed Ramdan’s every move. Colombia’s Jhon A Lopez C also forced his way into podium contention, ensuring there was no breathing room at the front. As the laps ticked down, the intensity only grew. Lap 4 saw Oratilwe surge back into the picture, producing a strong pace to reconnect with the leading train, while Rakshith’s aggressive charge made it clear the front-runners would not be escaping. By Lap 6, the front group had swelled into an all-out war featuring Ramdan, Luis, Oratilwe, Sarthak, Portugal’s Pedrinho Matos, and Jhon, six riders separated by almost nothing. Jhon then unleashed the fastest lap of the race at 1’51.023s, hinting at one final charge toward the podium. But the race ultimately came down to one final lap of courage. Heading into the closing stages, Oratilwe briefly held the advantage, with Luis, Pedrinho and Ramdan all waiting for the perfect moment to strike. Then came the decisive move. In a fearless final-corner attack, Luis launched a bold overtake, timing his run to perfection before powering past the chequered flag to seal an emotional first victory at Chang in 14’57.220s, just 0.004s ahead of a heartbroken but heroic Ramdan, who crossed the line in 14’57.224s. Oratilwe completed the podium in third at 14’57.749s, capping off a thrilling international showdown, while Rakshith and Malaysia’s Md Naqib Rifqi rounded out the top five. Luis said, ““This race was honestly unbelievable for me. From the very beginning, I tried to stay calm and manage everything lap by lap, focusing on being consistent and giving my best in every corner. The pace was really intense, but I kept believing in myself and pushing until the end. I truly feel that this was one of the best races of my career so far, and it means a lot to me emotionally. I want to thank my father for always supporting me through every difficult moment, and also everyone who believed in me and continued trusting me even during the hard times. Without their support, this moment would not have been possible. I’m really happy and proud with this result today. At the same time, I also want to congratulate Ramdan Rosli and Oratilwe Phale because they did an amazing job as well and we shared a great battle on track.” TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 1 1. LUIS MIGUEL – SPAIN (14’57.220s) 2. MOHD RAMDAN ROSLI – MALAYSIA (14’57.224s) 3. ORATILWE PHIRI – SOUTH AFRICA (14’57.749s) 4. RAKSHITH SHIHARI DAVE – INDONESIA (14’57.990s) 5. MD NAQIB RIFQI – MALAYSIA (14’58.360s)

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RAMDAN EMERGED ON TOP

The battle in the TVS Racing International Championship category intensified on the opening day of Round 2 in the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship 2026, as riders from across the globe delivered a fiercely competitive combined practice session at Chang International Circuit, Buriram, Thailand. After splitting victories during the opening round at Sepang International Circuit, Malaysia’s Mohd Ramdan Rosli and India’s Sarthak Chavan once again emerged as the centre of attention in Buriram, but this time, the margin between them was almost impossible to separate. Representing Malaysia, Ramdan surged to the top of the combined standings with a stunning lap of 1’50.802s during Practice 2, narrowly edging Sarthak by just 0.063s in what is already shaping up to be another explosive chapter in their growing rivalry. The Malaysian rider showed impressive consistency throughout the session, setting his fastest lap on Lap 6 out of 10 while reaching a top speed of 199.30km/h. More importantly, Ramdan’s late session pace immediately established him as one of the key favourites heading into qualifying and race day. However, Sarthak was never far behind. The Indian rider, who claimed victory in Race 1 during Round 1 before finishing second in Race 2, continued to demonstrate why he remains one of the strongest title contenders this season. Clocking a best lap of 1’50.865s in Practice 2, Sarthak also matched the highest top speed of the day at 202.60km/h, underlining both his straight-line speed and growing confidence around the Chang International Circuit. Behind the leading duo, Spain’s Luis Miguel made a strong statement during Practice 1 by topping the session with a rapid 1’50.875s, placing him third overall in the combined standings. The Spaniard consistently looked aggressive throughout the day and remains firmly in contention as the gap to the front continues to shrink. South Africa’s Oratilwe Phiri added further intensity to the battle after ending fourth overall with a best time of 1’50.933s, while Colombia’s Jhon A Lopez C completed the top five with a 1’50.999s lap, becoming the fifth rider to break into the highly competitive 1’50 bracket. What made the opening day even more compelling was the sheer closeness of the field. The top five riders were separated by less than two-tenths of a second, highlighting just how unpredictable the TVS Racing International Championship category could become as the weekend progresses. Ramdan said, “I’m still trying to find the best setup for the bike at the moment. Right now, I feel like I still can’t ride at 100 percent or fully show my true pace yet. There are still a few areas where I’m struggling to feel completely comfortable and confident on the bike. But despite that, every time I go out on the track, the feeling keeps getting better little by little. We are making progress step by step, and that gives me some confidence moving forward. Still, honestly, it’s not enough for me yet because I know I can do more and perform better. For tomorrow’s qualifying and Race 1, we plan to make some changes to the setup so I can feel more comfortable on the bike and ride more naturally. Hopefully, those adjustments will help me unlock more pace and allow me to fight stronger tomorrow.” TOP 5 FASTEST – COMBINED PRACTICE 1. MOHD RAMDAN ROSLI – MALAYSIA (1’50.802s) 2. SARTHAK CHAVAN – INDIA (1’50.865s) 3. LUIS MIGUEL – SPAIN (1’50.875s) 4. ORATILWE PHIRI – SOUTH AFRICA (1’50.933s) 5. JHON A LOPEZ C – COLOMBIA (1’50.999s)

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SARTHAK STEPS UP TITLE CHARGE

The battle in the TVS Racing International Championship category is already heating up after just one round of the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship 2026, with India’s young star Sarthak Chavan emerging as one of the key contenders heading into Round 2 at Chang International Circuit, Buriram, Thailand. Sarthak delivered a standout performance at Sepang International Circuit, Malaysia, claiming victory in Race 1 before securing a solid second-place finish in Race 2. However, consistency from Malaysia’s Mohd Ramdan Rosli means both riders now head into Chang International Circuit, Buriram tied on points. Despite the early narrative pointing towards a two-way title fight, Sarthak believes the championship picture is far from settled. “It might look like a battle between two riders right now, but honestly, the championship feels even more competitive this year. There are several riders who showed strong potential in Round 1, and I believe more names will come into the fight as the season progresses. It’s still too early to define the championship.” While the standings remain tight, Sarthak insists pressure is not part of his mindset, at least not yet. “At the moment, I don’t feel any pressure. I’m really happy with my performance in Malaysia. It was probably my best weekend at Sepang International Circuit so far. Now we move to Thailand, which is a track where I feel very strong. My focus is to stay sharp and keep working on the areas that matter.” That confidence could prove crucial as the championship heads to Buriram, a circuit where Sarthak has historically thrived. “It would be very clear that I want to fight for both race wins this weekend. It’s important to build a strong lead early in the championship, and coming into Thailand, I have a very positive feeling. This is one of the tracks where I’ve had multiple wins and podiums, so my confidence is high.” Sarthak’s belief is further reinforced by how well his riding style aligns with the demands of the Chang International circuit. “Yes, I feel 100% comfortable here. Sepang and Buriram require very different approaches, but my riding style suits Buriram really well. I feel natural on this track, and that gives me an extra boost heading into the weekend.” With momentum on his side and confidence building, the young Indian rider is not shying away from making his intentions clear to the rest of the field. “This year, I’m going to give everything I have to become champion. I feel like I’m in the best shape of my career, I’m enjoying my riding more than ever, and I’m ready for whatever comes.”

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