2016 Asia Dream Cup champion Hiroki Nakamura bid farewell to the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship with one last victory in the final race of the season at the Chang International Circuit. With the championship title in the bag, Nakamura was still hungry for more race wins.
A clean start from the competitors led to an uneventful 8-lap race. Running close to script, the Asia Dream Cup riders were bunched up together throughout the race. The Japanese ace stayed within touch of the leading group. India’s Hari Krishnan, Indonesia’s Yassiin Gabriel Somma, and Tokio Shibuta were the consistent pack leaders right up to the final lap.
Reaching the last corner into the chequered flag, Nakamura finally showed his mettle as he expertly threaded his way past the nine riders in the front group and picked up his seventh win of the season with 16’55.007s. Malaysian Hafiz Nor Azman was second with 16’55.189s and Yassiin finished third with 16’55.257s.
“This is a very difficult track for races like the Asia Dream Cup. With all the bikes equal on power, the long straights allow for a very big group to catch up. I am just happy that I can end my year with a win,” said Nakamura. The Japanese rider’s final points tally came up to 228 points.
Hafiz Nor Azman finished second overall with 144 points. Mohd Febriansyah of Indonesia was third with 143 points.