A new season often signals reset and reinvention, and few teams are leaning into that transformation as decisively as FIM Asia Road Racing Championship contender TIANYU ASIA RACING TEAM. With the 2026 campaign set to open this April, the squad enters the year with a new identity, a refined philosophy, and a sharpened competitive focus.
Last season marked a transitional chapter when ShunCheng Zhang competed under the TY Antares Racing banner in the AP250 class. Over the off-season, both rider and management chose to pursue different paths. ShunCheng has since shifted his long-term vision toward Kawasaki machinery, aligning with CV Manual Tech and embarking on a new technical journey with Kawasaki support for the 2026–2027 seasons.
Team owner Peng Yu Li responded by unveiling TIANYU ASIA RACING TEAM, a rebranded operation built around broader ambition and international competitiveness. Central to that plan is confirmed rider Riichi Takahira, whose return anchors the team’s push forward, while speculation continues to swirl about a second seat reportedly attracting Indonesian interest.
Peng Yu describes the team’s direction as outward-looking and performance-driven. “For the new season, the team’s strategic direction centers on going outward by actively competing in high-level Asian championships. Racing alongside Asia’s top teams elevates our technical capability and real-world experience, while also allowing us to showcase the engineering strength of our partners. Our goal is to reach the podium together with our sponsors and demonstrate the competitiveness of our programme.”
Expectations surrounding Riichi are equally ambitious. “With our restructured engineering lineup and updated machinery, we expect him to fully utilise his experience and challenge for podium finishes,” Peng Yu said.
When selecting a second rider, the philosophy goes beyond raw speed. “We prioritise racing experience and technical understanding. We want a rider who can work closely with engineers and make intelligent setup decisions.”
The broader AP250 campaign reflects measured ambition. “As a young team entering our third year, we aim for a top-ten championship foundation while pushing hard for podium results. That balance represents growth and technical progress.”
Lessons from 2025 are shaping preparation, particularly race execution. “We showed strong qualifying pace last year but needed better long-distance consistency. This season focuses on converting speed into race results.”
Even with familiar circuits ahead, Peng Yu remains realistic about the challenge. “The Asian podium is always hard-fought. But with new development completed, we’re entering the season better prepared.”