Just as the Indonesian riders view the Sentul Circuit as their playground, so does the Malaysian riders with the Sepang International Circuit. At the 2019 season opener, the Malaysian camp had been expected to dominate the UB150 podium especially. When Filipino riders McKinley Kyle Paz and Fernando Masato claimed the win in both Race 1 and Race 2, it was a painful blow for the local heroes.
Fortunately for the Malaysian riders, they will get a chance for a do-over when the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship returns to Sepang for Round 6 on September 21 and 22.
At Sepang, the Malaysians will make up 50% of the 35-rider UB150 grid.
UMA Racing Yamaha Maju Motor Asia Team’s Mohd Akid Aziz will be in the thick of the action as he challenges McKinley Kyle Paz for the leadership position in the class. Both riders have picked up two wins apiece in the previous four rounds. Akid trails McKinley by only four points.
However, in the case of Underbone racing, numerical advantage can sometimes become a strategical nightmare. With so many bikes out on track, threading one’s way through the charging horde in the final few corners of the race can be challenging.
Wily seasoned campaigners like Ahmad Fazli Sham, his younger brother Ahmad Fazrul Sham (wildcard) and championship mainstay Mohd Affendi Rosli can be expected to throw up obstacles of their own in their quest for the top step of the homeground podium.
With the Malaysian national day celebrations only a few weeks ago, fans can expect to see their favourite Malaysian riders amp up the level of competition in Sepang.