KABILESH CONTINUES TITLE HUNT
MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship 2026 resumes this weekend at the PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit, where RACR CASTROL POWER1 rider Kabilesh Rajini Krishnan is determined to continue the momentum from an impressive season opener.
Kabilesh heads into Round 2 as one of the championship’s leading contenders after a remarkable performance in the opening round, where he secured victory in Race 1 before finishing second in Race 2. The results earned him 45 championship points, leaving him tied at the top of the standings and setting the stage for what is shaping up to be an intense title battle.
What makes his Round 1 achievements even more remarkable is that they came despite an injury sustained during the opening Free Practice session.
“Round 1 was definitely a positive way to start the season, but to be honest, I still don’t feel like I was able to give my 100 percent. I broke my thumb during FP1, and from that moment onwards, it became very difficult to use both the throttle and the front brake properly throughout the weekend. Every session was challenging because I had to manage the pain while still trying to stay competitive.
“Despite everything, we managed to come away with a win in Race 1 and a second-place finish in Race 2. I’m really proud of what we achieved because it reflects the incredible effort from the entire RACR CASTROL POWER1 team. Everyone worked hard to make the bike as comfortable as possible for me, and together we were able to maximise our results. Those performances have given us plenty of confidence heading into Round 2, and hopefully, with my thumb recovering well, I’ll be able to ride closer to my full potential this weekend.”
With the championship standings incredibly tight, Kabilesh currently shares the championship lead with Carlsen, but the youngster remains calm and focused on his own objectives rather than getting distracted by his closest rival.
“Carlsen is a really good rider and someone I respect because he has great pace and is always competitive. But honestly, I don’t see him as a threat in a way that changes my approach. My main focus has always been on improving myself, delivering my best performance every time I get on the bike and staying consistent throughout the season. If I can keep doing that, then I believe the results will naturally follow.”
The strong start marks a significant turnaround from 2025, when Kabilesh endured one of the most difficult periods of his racing career after suffering a broken right femur. The injury prevented him from scoring any points in the opening two rounds before gradually rebuilding his confidence from Round 3 onwards.
“Last season was probably one of the toughest moments I’ve experienced in racing. Breaking my right femur was a massive setback, both physically and mentally. Recovering from an injury like that takes a lot of patience, and coming back to the level where you can fight at the front again is never easy.
“That’s why this year’s start means so much to me. To be back on the podium, fighting for victories and leading the championship again is incredibly rewarding. It reminds me how much hard work the team and I have put in over the past months. It also motivates me to keep working even harder because I know we are capable of achieving even more.”
With several riders demonstrating race-winning pace in Round 1, Kabilesh believes consistency will ultimately decide who lifts the championship trophy at the end of the season.
“The competition this year is very close, and I think that’s what makes the championship exciting. Every point is going to matter because the gap between the riders is so small. For me, consistency will be the key. My objective is to maximise the points available at every round, avoid unnecessary mistakes and keep finishing at the front. Over the course of a long championship, that’s what usually makes the biggest difference.”
Reflecting on the lessons learned from the season opener, Kabilesh believes the team’s mindset will continue to be their biggest strength.
“The biggest takeaway from Round 1 is our focus and determination. Even when things didn’t go according to plan because of my injury, everyone stayed calm, believed in the process and kept pushing until the very end. That’s the mentality we want to carry into Round 2 because there will always be challenges, and it’s how you respond to them that really matters.”
As Round 2 approaches, the RACR CASTROL POWER1 rider has set a clear target for the weekend.
“My hope is to score the maximum points possible and remain consistent throughout the entire weekend. Every session is important, from practice to qualifying and both races. If we can stay focused, keep improving with every outing and perform at our best, I believe we can come away with another strong result and continue building our championship campaign.”