Carlsen Jacob Solis of FCC – HONDA PHILIPPINES INC RACING TEAM delivered a commanding performance in challenging wet conditions to secure victory in Race 1 of the MSBK250 B category during Round 2 of the MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship 2026 at PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit. The riders were tested with light rain drizzled across the circuit before the race start. Despite the tricky conditions and reduced grip levels, Carlsen remained composed from the opening lap, controlling the pace and keeping his rivals at bay throughout the eight-lap encounter. Carlsen made a perfect getaway to lead the field into the opening corners, followed closely by second-place starter Kabilesh Rajini Krishnan of RACR CASTROL POWER1 and Ng Wei Shyang of MAGIC PAPAYA RACING TEAM in third. Carlsen quickly found his rhythm and began building an advantage. By Lap 3, the FCC – HONDA PHILIPPINES INC RACING TEAM rider had stretched his lead to two seconds over Kabilesh, with Wei Shyang maintaining a steady pace in third. As the race progressed, Carlsen continued to demonstrate excellent control and consistency, managing both the challenging weather conditions and the pressure from behind. Lap after lap, the leading order remained unchanged, with Kabilesh and Wei Shyang unable to close the gap as Carlsen expertly navigated the wet track. Despite the difficult conditions, Carlsen stayed focused until the chequered flag, completing a flawless ride to take the MSBK250 B Race 1 victory with a total race time of 22’10.142s. Kabilesh crossed the line in second place with a time of 22’40.303s, while Wei Shyang secured the final podium position for MAGIC PAPAYA RACING TEAM in 23’24.462s. Carlsen commented, “I’m very happy to get P1 today. It feels great to start the weekend with a victory, especially when the conditions were not easy. The rain made the track very challenging, and my bike was wobbling quite a lot, so I had to stay calm, be careful and trust my feeling on the bike.” “The most important thing was to maintain my rhythm and avoid making mistakes because one small error could change the result. I focused lap by lap, tried to manage the conditions and keep the bike under control until the finish line.” “This win gives me a lot of confidence, but the job is not finished yet. Tomorrow will be another challenge, and I want to keep the same focus, maintain this momentum and fight for another strong result in Race 2. A big thank you to my team for giving me a great bike and supporting me throughout this weekend.” TOP 3 FASTEST – RACE 1 1. CARLSEN JACOB SOLIS – FCC – HONDA PHILIPPINES INC RACING TEAM (22’10.142s) 2. KABILESH RAJINI KRISHNAN – RACR CASTROL POWER1 (22’40.303s) 3. NG WEI SHYANG – MAGIC PAPAYA RACING TEAM (23’24.462s)
Ashraff Zaquan Bin Zainal Raif of LIANG SOON MOTOR claimed victory in Race 1 of the BERJAYA SOMPO YAMAHA R15M RACE ELITES category today, in Round 2 of the MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship 2026 at PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit. Starting from pole position after setting the fastest qualifying time of 3’17.055s, Zaquan immediately launched himself into the lead when the lights went out. However, the race quickly turned into a fierce battle as a large group of riders fought closely together, with the lead changing hands multiple times throughout the race. Muhd Irish Shazwan of ALL BIKES initially followed Zaquan at the front, while Muhd Ikram Dani of EL CHONG MOTOR and Muhd Farhan Naqib Mohd Faiz of BLH RACING TEAM remained among the leading contenders. With no rider able to break away, the opening laps saw intense position swaps as riders searched for every possible opportunity to move up the order. On Lap 2, Raja Abdurraqib Raja Norfatihah of LKT MOTOR surged into the lead, pushing Zaquan and the chasing pack into an intense battle. Mohd Arrfan Ashraf of BOON HUA MOTOR also joined the fight at the front, while Naqib and Muhd Afiq Syazanie Muhd Zaini of HOCK LIONG continued to apply pressure. The battle remained wide open throughout the race, with Afiq taking control on Lap 4 before Zaquan reclaimed the lead on Lap 5. Raja Abdurraqib, Muhd Ikram Dani and Adam Danial Abdul Fattah of ANN SENG MOTOR also took turns at the front, competing for the front position. In the final lap, the intensity reached its peak as multiple riders remained within striking distance of victory. Zaquan positioned himself perfectly and launched his final attack coming out of the last corner, producing a strong exit to edge ahead and cross the finish line first with a winning time of 20’35.070s. BLH RACING TEAM’s Muhd Farhan Naqib Mohd Faiz finished just 0.039s behind in second place, while Raja Abdurraqib Raja Norfatihah of LKT MOTOR completed the podium in third after another impressive performance. Muhd Ikram Dani of EL CHONG MOTOR and Ahmad Jebat Zulkarnain Md Nazrun of ENG LUM RACING TEAM completed the top five. Zaquan said, “I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the entire Yamaha crew, Coach Zamri and everyone who has supported and helped me throughout this journey. Their hard work, guidance and commitment gave me the confidence to perform at my best today,” said Zaquan. “In Race 1, my strategy was to stay within the top five and remain patient while saving my energy for the final moments of the race. I focused on maintaining my position, studying the riders around me and preparing myself for the last lap. Coming out of the final corner, I managed to get a strong exit and make the most of the opportunity, which allowed me to cross the line in first place.” “This victory means a lot to me because it was the result of teamwork, preparation and never giving up. I’m really grateful for everyone who has my back, and I hope we can continue building on this momentum and achieve more strong results together.” TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 1 1. ASHRAFF ZAQUAN BIN ZAINAL RAIF – LIANG SOON MOTOR (20’35.070s) 2. MUHD FARHAN NAQIB MOHD FAIZ – BLH RACING TEAM (20’35.109s) 3. RAJA ABDURRAQIB RAJA NORFATIHAH – LKT MOTOR (20’35.191s) 4. MUHD IKRAM DANI – EL CHONG MOTOR (20’35.262s) 5. AHMAD JEBAT ZULKARNAIN MD NAZRUN – ENG LUM RACING TEAM (20’35.288s)
Kasma Daniel Kasmayudin of HONG LEONG YAMAHA MALAYSIA delivered a strong opening performance in the MSBK1000 A category after dominating the combined practice standings on the first day of Round 2 of the MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship 2026 at PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit. Kasma set the pace in both Free Practice sessions, showcasing impressive speed and consistency despite continuing to adapt to significant updates made to his machine ahead of the weekend. Kasma began Friday’s sessions by topping Free Practice 1 with a lap time of 2’08.611s before raising the benchmark further in the afternoon session. The Malaysian rider produced the fastest lap of the day in Free Practice 2 with a blistering 2’07.508s effort, while also recording the highest top speed in the category at 156.5kph. His dominant performance placed him 0.951 seconds clear at the top of the combined standings, giving HONG LEONG YAMAHA MALAYSIA a strong start. However, the fight behind Kasma remained highly competitive, with Indonesia’s Mohammad Adenanta Putra of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM emerging as the closest challenger after a strong showing in Free Practice 2. The Indonesian rider improved throughout the day to secure second overall with a best lap of 2’08.459s. AMI SUZUKI MOTORSPORT continued to demonstrate strong pace with two riders inside the top four. Adam Norrodin, who finished second fastest in Free Practice 1, secured third overall with a best time of 2’09.255s, while teammate Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman completed the top four after setting a lap of 2’09.838s in Free Practice 2. Osama Mareai of OSAMA RACING TEAM rounded out the top five overall after recording a best lap of 2’12.427s during the opening practice session. Kasma commented, “Alhamdulillah, today’s Free Practice results were positive, and I’m grateful that we were able to finish the day in a good position. However, we still haven’t found the perfect setup yet because there have been many changes to the motorcycle, especially with the engine and the upgraded winglet.” “The new winglet is something that we need to understand properly because it’s not just about installing it and immediately getting the best performance. We need to find the right balance, understand how it affects the bike and adjust the setup to suit my riding style. Today was challenging because the feeling of the bike was different, and I needed time to adapt and regain full confidence.” “However, this is only Free Practice, and we still have Qualifying tomorrow where we can continue working and improving. The team has done a great job, and I appreciate all their effort in helping me adapt to these changes. We will keep pushing, analyse today’s data and try our best to improve further tomorrow.” TOP 5 FASTEST – FREE PRACTICE (COMBINED) 1. KASMA DANIEL KASMAYUDIN – HONG LEONG YAMAHA MALAYSIA (2’07.508s) 2. MOHAMMAD ADENANTA PUTRA – ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM (2’08.459s) 3. ADAM NORRODIN – AMI SUZUKI MOTORSPORT (2’09.255s) 4. AZLAN SHAH KAMARUZAMAN – AMI SUZUKI MOTORSPORT (2’09.838s) 5. OSAMA MAREAI – OSAMA RACING TEAM (2’12.427s)
Martin Noh of FGRT PROJECT ONE made an early statement of intent in the MSBK1000 B category after topping the combined practice standings on the opening day of Round 2 of the MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship 2026 at PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit. Martin showcased strong pace and adaptability throughout both Free Practice sessions to emerge as the rider to beat heading into Saturday’s Qualifying. He set the fastest time in both sessions, underlining his consistency and confidence as he continues to chase a strong result in one of the most competitive categories on the grid. Martin began the day by setting the benchmark in Free Practice 1 with a lap time of 2’16.273s before raising the pace further in the afternoon session. Despite experiencing a crash at Turn 4 during Free Practice 2, he bounced back strongly to record the fastest lap of the day with a 2’15.595s effort, while also clocking the highest top speed in the category at 147.16kph. His performance placed him 1.537 seconds clear at the top of the combined standings, giving FGRT PROJECT ONE a strong foundation heading into the crucial Qualifying session. B. A TUNING’s rider Jeff Chong emerged as Martin’s closest challenger, finishing second overall with a best lap of 2’17.132s set during Free Practice 1. Jeff showed impressive consistency throughout the day, remaining among the front runners in both sessions as he continues his pursuit of a strong weekend result. RACEHUB RACING TEAM’s Santhiran A/L Naga Raju also delivered another encouraging performance after securing third overall with a best lap of 2’17.315s in Free Practice 2. Fresh from his impressive debut performance earlier in the season, where he immediately established himself as a contender, Santhiran continued to demonstrate his growing confidence and speed in the MSBK1000 B category. KHSRT rider Kamarul Izad Ishak completed the top four overall, while RACEHUB RACING TEAM’s Wesley Lim Shing Shiong rounded out the top five after setting his best time in Free Practice 1. Martin stated, “I’m really happy to finish as the fastest rider today. It feels great to be able to show strong pace, especially here at PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit with my team. However, the day was not completely easy because I had a crash at Turn 4 during Free Practice 2, and we are still working on understanding the Dunlop tyres better.” “The feeling with the tyres is different, so we need more time and more laps to fully adapt and find the best combination with the bike. Every session is important because we are learning and improving step by step. I want to thank my team for their hard work, commitment and continuous support throughout the day.” “Our target now is to keep improving the bike setup and prepare as well as possible for Qualifying. The goal is to start Race 1 from the front of the grid, so tomorrow will be another important challenge. We will give our best, stay focused and fight for the best possible position.” TOP 5 FASTEST – FREE PRACTICE (COMBINED) 1. MARTIN NOH – FGRT PROJECT ONE (2’15.595s) 2. JEFF CHONG – B. A TUNING (2’17.132s) 3. SANTHIRAN A/L NAGA RAJU – RACEHUB RACING TEAM (2’17.315s) 4. KAMARUL IZAD ISHAK – KHSRT (2’17.481s) 5. WESLEY LIM SHING SHIONG – RACEHUB RACING TEAM (2’18.022s)
Thanat Laoongplio of HONDA RACING THAILAND delivered a commanding performance on the opening day of Round 2 of the MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship 2026, topping the combined practice standings in the highly competitive MSBK600 category at PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit. Thanat showcased impressive pace and consistency throughout both Free Practice sessions, establishing himself as the rider to beat ahead of Saturday’s Qualifying and Race 1. After setting the benchmark in Free Practice 1 with a lap time of 2’11.579s, the Thai rider returned stronger in the afternoon session, lowering his best time to an impressive 2’10.686s while recording a top speed of 152.69kph. His outstanding performance placed him at the top of the combined standings, with teammate Kitsada Tanachot completing a HONDA RACING THAILAND 1-2 after setting a best lap of 2’11.676s in Free Practice 2. The battle for supremacy remained intense behind the Thai duo, with HONDA RACING MALAYSIA riders Muhd Helmi Azman and Khairul Idham Pawi showcasing strong pace on home soil. Helmi, who finished second fastest in Free Practice 1, continued his impressive form in the afternoon session to secure third overall with a best lap of 2’11.755s, just 0.079 seconds behind Kitsada. Khairul also delivered a strong showing, improving his pace throughout the day to finish fourth overall with a time of 2’12.261s, further highlighting the strength and depth of the HONDA RACING MALAYSIA squad heading into the crucial weekend sessions. Completing the top five was Malaysian rider Muhd Naqib Rifqi Zulhelmi, who produced an encouraging performance in Free Practice 2 to secure fifth overall with a fastest lap of 2’13.370s. Thanat shared, “Today was a very positive day for me, and I’m really happy to finish as the fastest rider. We are still learning because we are trying a new electronic setup, so every session is important for us to understand the bike better and find the right balance. The team has worked incredibly hard, and I’m grateful for their effort because they continue to support me and help me improve step by step.” “This season, we want to fight for the championship. To achieve that, we cannot stop pushing. Today’s result gives us confidence, but tomorrow is a new challenge, and Race 1 will be completely different. I will give my best, stay focused and fight until the end.” “The competition this round will be very strong, especially with the new riders from Honda Racing Malaysia. Helmi and Khairul are both very fast and experienced riders, so I know the battle will be tough. I will try to learn from them, challenge myself and give everything I have on track. We will keep pushing and fighting for the best result.” TOP 5 FASTEST – FREE PRACTICE (COMBINED) 1. THANAT LAOONGPLIO – HONDA RACING THAILAND (2’10.686s) 2. KITSADA TANACHOT – HONDA RACING THAILAND (2’11. 676s) 3. MUHD HELMI AZMAN – HONDA RACING MALAYSIA (2’11.755s) 4. KHAIRUL IDHAM PAWI – HONDA RACING MALAYSIA (2’12.261s) 5. MUHD NAQIB RIFQI ZULHELMI – MALAYSIA (2’13.370s)
Md Irfan Haykhal Amidi of MOTUL HONDA RACING MALAYSIA laid down an early marker in the MSBK250 A category after topping the combined practice standings on the opening day of Round 2 of the MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship 2026 at PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit. The Malaysian rider produced an impressive display of pace and consistency across both Free Practice sessions to emerge as the rider to beat heading into Saturday’s Qualifying. Despite encountering a minor clutch issue during Free Practice 1, Irfan Haykhal showed remarkable composure to set the fastest lap of 2’27.049s before returning even stronger in the afternoon session. With improvements made to the motorcycle’s setup, he lowered the benchmark to an impressive 2’26.440s while recording the highest top speed of the day at 136.27kph, comfortably securing the top spot in the combined standings. While Irfan enjoyed a productive opening day, the battle behind him proved equally compelling as several title contenders showcased the depth of competition expected throughout the weekend. Indonesia’s championship leader, Irfan Ardiansyah of NWN CZ1 SCK RACING TEAM, made significant gains in Free Practice 2 to climb into second overall with a best lap of 2’26.613s, just 0.173 seconds behind Irfan Haykhal. Having dominated the opening round of the season, the Indonesian once again demonstrated the consistency and speed that have made him one of the favourites in the championship battle. Vietnam’s Nguyen Huu Tri of HONDA RACING VIETNAM TEAM completed the top three after carrying over his strong pace from the morning session. His best lap of 2’27.164s from Free Practice 1 was enough to keep him among the leading contenders despite narrowly missing out on further improvements in the afternoon. TEAM ACR’s rider Nazirul Izzat Muhd Bahauddin also delivered an encouraging performance to finish fourth overall after posting a personal best of 2’27.548s in Free Practice 2, while Ahmad Afif Amran of RAPIDO YAMAHA FIVEZERO RACING TEAM rounded out the top five with a fastest lap of 2’27.743s. Irfan Haykhal said, “Alhamdulillah, everything went smoothly today, and I’m grateful to finish the day at the top. We did face a minor clutch issue during Free Practice 1, but thanks to the hard work of my team, we managed to stay focused and still put together a competitive lap. In Free Practice 2, we concentrated on improving the bike’s setup, and I could immediately feel the difference and gain more confidence with every lap.” “Even though we finished fastest today, I know nothing is guaranteed because everyone will take another step forward in Qualifying. We’re still looking for a better setup than what we had today, and I believe there’s still more time to find. My goal is to keep improving, deliver another strong performance in Qualifying, fight for pole position and give ourselves the best opportunity for Race 1.” TOP 5 FASTEST – FREE PRACTICE (COMBINED) 1. MD IRFAN HAYKHAL AMIDI – MOTUL HONDA RACING MALAYSIA (2’26.440s) 2. IRFAN ARDIANSYAH – NWN CZ1 SCK RACING TEAM (2’26.613s) 3. NGUYEN HUU TRI – HONDA RACING VIETNAM TEAM (2’27.164s) 4. NAZIRUL IZZAT MUHD BAHAUDDIN – TEAM ACR (2’27.548s) 5. AHMAD AFIF AMRAN – RAPIDO YAMAHA FIVEZERO RACING TEAM (2’27.743s)
Filipino rider Carlsen Jacob Solis of FCC – HONDA PHILIPPINES INC RACING TEAM stole the attention after dominated both Free Practice sessions to emerge as the fastest rider in the combined standings of the MSBK250 B category on the opening day of Round 2 of the MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship 2026 at PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit. Carlsen maintained his impressive momentum from the season opener with a flawless performance throughout Friday’s practice sessions. After setting the benchmark in Free Practice 1 with a lap of 2’31.644s, the Filipino further raised the bar in Free Practice 2 by improving his pace to a session-best 2’30.665s, while also recording the highest top speed of the day at 132.44kph. His consistent pace placed him comfortably at the top of the combined practice classification, reinforcing his status as one of the leading contenders heading into Saturday’s crucial Qualifying session. Close behind was Kabilesh Rajini Krishnan of RACR CASTROL POWER1, who enjoyed another encouraging outing after clocking the second-fastest time in both practice sessions. Kabilesh improved from 2’32.754s in Free Practice 1 to 2’31.500s in Free Practice 2, finishing just 0.835 seconds adrift of Carlsen in the overall standings. His steady progression highlighted the strong pace he has carried into Round 2 as he continues to establish himself among the front-runners in the category. Completing the top three was Ng Wei Shyang from MAGIC PAPAYA RACING TEAM. Wei Shyang showed significant improvement over the course of the day, lowering his lap time from 2’39.019s in the opening session to 2’36.058s in Free Practice 2 to secure third overall. Carlsen shared, “I’m really happy with how today went because we managed to finish P1 in both Free Practice sessions, but for me, the work is far from over. Practice is all about understanding the bike, finding the right rhythm and identifying the areas where I can still improve. We collected a lot of valuable information today, and I believe there’s still more performance to unlock.” “My goal for tomorrow is simple – stay consistent, keep building my confidence lap after lap and fight for pole position. I know the competition will be even stronger in Qualifying, so I can’t afford to relax. Every lap matters, and I want to keep pushing myself to be faster while maintaining a good rhythm. Hopefully, everything comes together, and we can start Race 1 from the best possible position.” TOP 5 FASTEST – FREE PRACTICE (COMBINED) 1. CARLSEN JACOB SOLIS – FCC – HONDA PHILIPPINES INC RACING TEAM (2’30.665s) 2. KABILESH RAJINI KRISHNAN – RACR CASTROL POWER1 (2’31.500s) 3. NG WEI SHYANG – MAGIC PAPAYA RACING TEAM (2’36.058s)
Muhd Ali Imran Mohd Dzul Hijri delivered a strong statement of intent in t The opening sessions of Round 2 of the MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship 2026 saw Muhd Ali Imran Mohd Dzul Hijri of KEAT SENG MOTOR topped the Combined Practice classification for the BERJAYA SOMPO YAMAHA R15M RACE ELITES category at PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit. In Free Practice 2, Ali Imran secured the fastest overall lap time of the day with a 2’51.756s effort, marking an impressive improvement from his earlier session. His performance placed him ahead of a tightly packed field, with several young talents separated by less than two seconds. The opening Free Practice session saw Muhd Ikram Dani of EL CHONG MOTOR leading the way after clocking 2’52.859s, narrowly edging BLH RACING TEAM rider Muhd Farhan Naqib Mohd Faiz, who stopped the clock at 2’53.194s. Muhd Afiq Syazanie Muhd Zaini of HOCK LIONG, Nuzzul Ady Muhammad Sudin of M H MOTOR and Ali Imran completed the top five in the first outing. However, the momentum shifted in the second session as Ali Imran found the perfect rhythm around the 5.543km circuit. The KEAT SENG MOTOR rider set the pace with a 2’51.756s lap, while Ikram Dani continued his strong form to finish second fastest at 2’52.885s. Adam Danial Abdul Fattah of ANN SENG MOTOR impressed with the third-fastest time of 2’52.931s, followed closely by Farhan Naqib at 2’52.964s and Ashraff Zaquan Bin Zainal Raif of LIANG SOON MOTOR at 2’52.974s. Ali commented, “During Free Practice 2, I tried to close the gap to the front group. I allowed the other riders to move ahead first, then I focused on chasing them and studying their pace. Alhamdulillah, the strategy worked well and I managed to finish as the fastest rider today,” said Ali Imran. “Of course, this is only the beginning and there is still a lot of work to do. The pace between the riders is very close, so we need to remain focused and continue improving the bike setup. For tomorrow’s Race 1, my goal is to stay at the front from the start. If I can create a gap from the group and maintain my rhythm until the finish, that would be the ideal situation. I will give my best effort and fight for the strongest result possible for my team.” TOP 5 FASTEST – FREE PRACTICE (COMBINED) 1. MUHD ALI IMRAN MOHD DZUL HIJRI – KEAT SENG MOTOR (2’51.756s) 2. MUHD IKRAM DANI – EL CHONG MOTOR (2’52.859s) 3. ADAM DANIAL ABDUL FATTAH – ANN SENG MOTOR (2’52.931s) 4. MUHD FARHAN NAQIB MOHD FAIZ – BLH RACING TEAM (2’52.964s) 5. ASHRAFF ZAQUAN BIN ZAINAL RAIF – LIANG SOON MOTOR (2’52.974s)
Progress rather than outright results has become the driving force behind AMI SUZUKI MOTORSPORT as Muhamad Adam Mohd Norrodin heads into Round 2 of the MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship 2026, determined to capitalise on the valuable lessons learned during the season opener and take another step towards the front of the MSBK1000 A category at PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit this weekend. Although he narrowly missed the podium with two fourth-place finishes in Round 1, Adam demonstrated encouraging pace and consistency throughout the opening weekend, remaining in contention for the top three until the closing laps of both races. More importantly, the season opener provided the team with valuable technical data that has strengthened its ongoing development programme, giving Adam confidence that both he and the team are moving in the right direction ahead of the second round. A key factor behind AMI SUZUKI MOTORSPORT’s progress this season has been the involvement of experienced Malaysian rider Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman, who has joined the team to strengthen its technical development efforts. Beyond his role as a rider, Azlan Shah has contributed his extensive racing experience by providing important feedback on the motorcycle’s setup, performance and overall direction. For Adam, the collaboration has already produced positive results, with the team making meaningful improvements after gathering crucial information during the opening round, particularly in challenging wet track conditions. “This season has been a new challenge for us, but having Azlan Shah join the team has been a big advantage because he brings a lot of experience and knowledge, especially when it comes to motorcycle development. His feedback has helped the team understand the bike better and identify areas where we can continue improving,” said Adam. “During Round 1, we collected a lot of valuable data, especially from the wet sessions where the conditions were difficult and unpredictable. Those experiences allowed the team to learn more about the motorcycle’s behaviour and find better solutions for the setup. To see the team secure two podium finishes during the opening round was a very positive result, and it gave everyone extra confidence that we are heading in the right direction. There is still a lot of work to be done, but the progress we have made so far has been very encouraging.” Reflecting on his own performance in Round 1, Adam admitted that while finishing fourth in both races showed strong competitiveness, there was also a sense of disappointment knowing that he had the pace to fight for a podium result. “Looking back at Round 1, I would say it was a positive weekend overall because I was able to stay competitive and fight for a podium position in both races until the end. That gave me confidence because it showed that we have the speed and potential to challenge the riders at the front.” “Of course, finishing fourth twice was not exactly the result I was hoping for because the podium was within reach. Unfortunately, luck was not on my side during that round, and sometimes small moments can make a big difference in racing. However, I don’t want to focus too much on what we missed. Instead, I want to take the positives from that experience, continue improving and use it as motivation to come back stronger in Round 2.” Heading into the second round, Adam and the AMI SUZUKI MOTORSPORT crew have continued working on improving the motorcycle package, with a particular focus on finding a stronger setup for dry track conditions. “Since Round 1, the team has been working very hard to analyse the data and improve the motorcycle setup. Our main focus for Round 2 is to be better prepared for dry conditions because we want to have a more complete package that allows us to perform consistently throughout the weekend.” “Every member of the team has been putting in a lot of effort behind the scenes, and I really appreciate their commitment. The development process is not always easy, but everyone is motivated because we know there is still more potential that we can unlock.” While the team has made progress, Adam acknowledged that there are still areas that require further improvement, particularly in terms of electronics and top-speed performance. “We are still facing some challenges with top speed, but our biggest focus remains the electronics package because we believe there is still significant room for improvement in that area. The electronics play an important role in helping us maximise the motorcycle’s performance, especially when fighting against strong competition,” Adam explained. “We know what areas we need to work on, and the team is continuing to search for the best solutions. Step by step, we are improving, and I believe the hard work will eventually translate into stronger results on track.” With the lessons from Round 1 and continued development behind them, Adam remains confident that AMI SUZUKI MOTORSPORT can once again challenge for podium positions in Round 2. “If everything comes together according to plan, Azlan Shah and I will once again aim to fight for podium positions, just like we did in Round 1. That is our target, and we believe we have the potential to achieve it,” said Adam. “The competition in MSBK1000 A is always very strong, so we know it will not be easy. But we are coming into this weekend with confidence, determination and a clear goal. I want to give my best for the team, continue improving with every session and hopefully reward everyone’s hard work with a strong result.”
Malaysian rider Santhiran A/L Naga Raju enters Round 2 of the MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship 2026 with renewed confidence but a clear understanding of the challenges ahead after delivering a dream debut in the opening round of the season. Making his first-ever appearance in the championship, Santhiran exceeded expectations in the MSBK1000 B category by claiming two race victories and collecting the maximum 50 championship points at Round 1. The impressive result immediately placed him at the top of the standings, despite arriving at the season opener with the modest target of gaining experience and finishing inside the top five. For Santhiran, the perfect start was a moment he never expected. “Honestly, the result was a big surprise for me. Since this was my first time competing in MSBK, my main goal was simply to finish inside the top five and learn as much as possible. Everything was new to me, from the level of competition to the professional racing environment.” “I came into the weekend wanting to gain experience and enjoy the opportunity. To walk away with two race wins and maximum points was an incredible feeling. It gave me a lot of happiness and motivation, but at the same time, I know this is only the beginning and there is still a long season ahead.” Despite his strong start, Santhiran refuses to let the early success create unnecessary pressure or overconfidence. “Going into Round 2, I won’t take the results from the first round for granted. I know the other riders are very strong, and during the dry sessions, some of them were actually faster than me. That shows me there is still a lot of work to do.” “The confidence is definitely there, but I believe hard work and continuous improvement are more important. I need to keep learning, keep pushing, and stay focused on improving every time I go on track.” The Malaysian rider has also enjoyed his first experience competing in MSBK, describing the championship as an important platform for his growth as a racer. “So far, the experience has been amazing. MSBK gives me the opportunity to experience racing in a more professional environment, and I have learned so much from every session.” “It is physically and mentally demanding, but that is also what makes it exciting. The challenges push me to become a better rider, and I truly appreciate every opportunity to be part of this championship.” One of the key factors behind Santhiran’s success in Round 1 was his ability to remain calm and composed despite unpredictable weather conditions throughout the weekend. “I would say my mental strength played a big role. I am naturally a calm person, and I tried not to let the pressure affect me. I had a good launch from the grid, and after that, I kept reminding myself to stay calm, focus on the race, and avoid making unnecessary mistakes.” “In difficult conditions, having the right mindset is very important. I trusted myself, stayed patient, and focused on finishing the race.” While his dream debut has placed him among the early contenders, Santhiran believes there is still plenty of room for improvement before thinking about championship glory. “To be honest, I still have a lot to work on. I don’t think I have reached my peak yet, and I believe I can still improve in many areas. My focus is to continue learning and become more consistent throughout the season.” “As for the championship fight, I will take it one race at a time. Every rider is experienced and fast, especially during practice and qualifying, so I cannot underestimate anyone. I will continue giving my best and focus on my own progress.”