NAZIRUL’S LONG-AWAITED RETURN

After years of waiting for the right opportunity, 2026 marks an emotional return for Nazirul Izzat Md Bahauddin as he makes his comeback to the MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship (MSBK) in the MSBK250 category, seven years after his last appearance in the class in 2019.

This season, Nazirul will line up under the banner of Team ACR, ending a long period away from the 250cc machinery that once defined an important chapter of his racing journey. Since stepping away from the category, Nazirul has continued to stay active in other championships, competing primarily in the 150cc class. While he remained competitive, the ambition to one day return to the larger-capacity machine never faded.

For Nazirul, this is more than simply a move back to a familiar class — it is the return he has quietly hoped for over the years.

The transition, however, will not come without its challenges. Having spent several seasons adapting to smaller-displacement motorcycles, the switch back to a 250cc machine demands a completely different rhythm, riding style, and physical adjustment. It will also be his first time riding a 250cc bike in competitive conditions since 2019, making this comeback both exciting and demanding.

Nazirul admitted that finally receiving the opportunity again was a deeply meaningful moment in his career.

“Alhamdulillah, I am truly grateful to finally be given the opportunity to return to a 250cc machine after such a long wait.
This is something I have been hoping for for quite some time, so to be able to experience this again means a lot to me personally.

I would like to thank Team ACR for their trust and for giving me this chance. Their belief in me is something I deeply appreciate, and I hope this can become the beginning of a positive new chapter in my career.

Because it has been quite some time since I last rode a full-sized 250cc machine, I know I may need a little time to find the right setup and readjust myself completely.

Even so, I am fully committed to giving my best in the opening round and doing everything I can to make this return count.”

Nazirul’s return adds another compelling storyline to the 2026 MSBK250 grid, with fans eager to see how quickly he can rediscover the form that once made him a familiar name in the category.

While the opening round may be about rebuilding confidence and adapting to the machine once again, Nazirul enters the season with something many riders understand well — unfinished ambition.

And for Nazirul, the road back to MSBK250 may just be the beginning.