Round 1 of the IDEMITSU FIM Asia Road Racing Championship 2026 ignited the Sepang International Circuit, Malaysia, with a breathtaking Race 1 in the UB150 class, as Indonesia’s Gupita Kresna Wardhana of ZIEAR LFN HP969 ADELIN MCR RBT34 delivered a perfectly timed final-lap charge to snatch victory in one of the most fiercely contested races of the day.
The race burst into life with John Emerson Inguito of 4S1M EVO YAMAHA Racing Team launching into the lead, ahead of teammate Rendi Odding, Wahyu Aji Trilaksana of HJS YOUNGSTAR KAWAHARA RCTH SIXTY, and April King Mascardo of RACETECH YAMAHA PHILIPPINES RACING TEAM. As expected in UB150 fashion, the order began to reshuffle almost immediately.
By Lap 2, Shahrol Syazras Shahrol Yuzy of YUZY ASIA TEAM briefly took control before being displaced in a rapidly evolving lead group. Nazirul Izzat Md Bahauddin of UMA RACING YAMAHA MAJU MOTOR TEAM surged to the front, but was instantly put under pressure by Gupita, with the two riders trading positions in an intense early duel. Close behind, Dimas Juli Atmoko of HJS YOUNGSTAR KAWAHARA RCTH SIXTY and Ahmad Darwisy Ahmad Sahir of YUZY ASIA TEAM remained firmly in contention as the pack stayed tightly bunched.
Lap 3 saw Nazirul hold the lead, but Gupita signalled his intent by clocking the fastest lap of 2’42.509s, continuing to pile pressure on the front. Adytya Fauzi of JPNW SND FACTORY RACING, Dimas, and John all maintained their positions within the leading group, with no rider able to break clear.
The momentum shifted again on Lap 4 when John responded with a blistering 2’35.920s to lead the group, only for Nazirul to immediately capitalise on an opening to retake the position, with Rendi following closely behind as the race intensified.
Heading into the final two laps, the battle reached boiling point. No fewer than five riders remained locked together, with Wahyu emerging at the front ahead of April, Husni Zainul Fuadzy of ZIEAR LFN HP969 ADELIN MCR RBT34, Fadli Rigani of YAMAHA LFN HP969 INDONESIA RACING TEAM, and Dimas, as the leading pack prepared for a decisive final lap shootout.
In a dramatic final lap, Wahyu and Dimas initially led the charge, but from the shadows, Gupita executed a masterful surge through the pack. Timing his move to perfection, he sliced through the field and powered out of the final corners to clinch victory in 15’50.980s.
Dimas crossed the line just 0.002s behind in 15’50.982s, while Husni secured third place at 15’51.039s, completing a double podium for ZIEAR LFN HP969 ADELIN MCR RBT34. Wahyu and Rendi rounded out the top five after an all-out battle to the chequered flag.
Gupita said, “I want to thank my parents, my wife, my children, and my team for supporting me until I could be on the podium today. During the race, I tried to stay safe at the back, but in the middle stages I began working my way forward. I believed I could reach the front group, and on the final lap I made my move and went for the win. I’m very grateful, and it’s even more special to share the podium with my teammate, Husni.”
TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 1
1. GUPITA KRESNA WARDHANA – ZIEAR LFN HP969 ADELIN MCR RBT34 (15’50.980s)
2. DIMAS JULI ATMOKO – HJS YOUNGSTAR KAWAHARA RCTH SIXTY (15’50.982s)
3. HUSNI ZAINUL FUADZY – ZIEAR LFN HP969 ADELIN MCR RBT34 (15’51.039s)
4. WAHYU AJI TRILAKSANA – HJS YOUNGSTAR KAWAHARA RCTH SIXTY (15’51.413s)
5. RENDI ODDING – 4S1M EVO YAMAHA Racing Team (15’51.443s)