ROUND 2 CLEAN SWEEP FOR ZAQUAN
Ashraff Zaquan Bin Zainal Raif of LIANG SOON MOTOR delivered another masterclass in racecraft to complete a sensational clean sweep in the BERJAYA SOMPO YAMAHA R15M RACE ELITES category, claiming his second victory of the weekend during Round 2 of the MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship 2026 at PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit.
Zaquan made a superb launch off the line to seize the early advantage, immediately coming under pressure from Muhd Irish Shazwan of ALL BIKES, while Muhd Farhan Naqib Mohd Faiz of BLH RACING TEAM also established himself among the leading contenders.
By Lap 2, Zaquan continued to dictate the pace, but the chasing pack was reshuffled as Muhd Ikram Dani of EL CHONG MOTOR climbed into second ahead of Ahmad Jebat Zulkarnain Md Nazrun of ENG LUM RACING TEAM, with of Adam Danial Abdul Fattah ANN SENG MOTOR moving into fourth.
The race intensified on Lap 3 when Raja Abdurraqib Raja Norfatihah of LKT MOTOR briefly broke clear from the pack and clocked the fastest lap of the race with a time of 2’52.995s. However, his advantage proved short-lived as the packed front group quickly reeled him back in. Zaquan remained firmly in contention alongside Naqib, Adam Hariz Hafiz of XL MOTOR and Shazrel Aqief Hakimy of BEN HUAT MOTOR in the battle for supremacy.
Abdurraqib again looked poised to escape on Lap 4 after stretching his lead to 0.573s over Hariz, while Shahuzzaifie Adli Shafendi of SOON CHYE MOTORS occupied third ahead of Naqib and Muhd Afiq Syazanie Muhd Zaini of HOCK LIONG. Yet the relentless slipstream battle ensured no advantage lasted for long.
Hariz emerged at the front on Lap 5 ahead of Jebat and Adam Danial, but the order continued to change almost every corner. Every attempt to break away was immediately answered by the chasing riders, creating an intense drafting contest that carried into the closing laps.
Zaquan reclaimed the lead on Lap 6 ahead of Naqib, Ikram and Hariz before the final lap. As the leading contenders fought wheel-to-wheel for victory, drama struck at the final corner when Ikram and Adam Danial crashed while battling for podium positions. Adam Danial managed to remount and finish the race, but Ikram was forced to retire, ending what had been an outstanding charge.
Zaquan crossed the finish line first in 20’29.051s and complete a memorable double victory. Jebat secured second place with a time of 20’29.771s, while Shazrel completed the podium just 0.753s behind the winner in 20’29.804s.
Zaquan shared, “Alhamdulillah, I’m truly grateful to complete the double victory this weekend. Going into the race, my strategy was to stay with the leading group without pushing too hard too early because I knew the race would only be decided in the closing stages.”
“At one point, I started losing touch with the front riders, and I knew I had to give everything I had to close the gap. I kept believing, stayed calm and focused on making the right move at the right time.”
“On the final lap, heading into the last corner, I saw an opportunity under braking and committed fully. I managed to carry the momentum onto the exit, accelerated past the others and crossed the line first. It’s an incredible feeling to win again, and I’m very thankful to my team for giving me such a competitive bike. This double victory means a lot and gives me even more confidence for the rounds ahead.”
TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 2
1. ASHRAFF ZAQUAN BIN ZAINAL RAIF – LIANG SOON MOTOR (20’29.051s)
2. AHMAD JEBAT ZULKARNAIN MD NAZRUN – ENG LUM RACING TEAM (20’29.771s)
3. SHAZREL AQIEF HAKIMY – BEN HUAT MOTOR (20’29.804s)
4. ADAM HARIZ HAFIZ – XL MOTOR (20’29.857s)
5. MUHD ALI IMRAN MOHD DZUL HIJRI – KEAT SENG MOTOR (20’29.880s)