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.”
After making an encouraging debut in the highly competitive MSBK600 category, Malaysian rider Muhd Naqib Rifqi Zulhelmi heads into Round 2 of the MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship 2026 determined to build on the valuable lessons gained during the season opener at PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit this weekend. Stepping up to the 600cc class for the first time in his racing career, Naqib demonstrated promising pace and maturity throughout Round 1 despite facing the steep learning curve that comes with handling a significantly more powerful machine. The Malaysian rider adapted quickly with consistent improvements in every session, culminating in an impressive third-place finish in Race 2 that placed him third overall in the championship standings. While a podium finish would normally be considered a successful start to the season, Naqib remains grounded and believes there is still considerable work to be done before he can consistently challenge the front-runners in the championship. Reflecting on his debut weekend in the MSBK600 category, Naqib described Round 1 as an important learning experience that boosted both his confidence and understanding of the motorcycle. “Overall, I think my performance in Round 1 was quite positive. It was my very first time racing a 600cc machine, so every session became a valuable learning opportunity for me. There were many new things I had to adapt to, from understanding the bike’s characteristics to managing the additional power and weight compared to what I had raced before. What made me happy was seeing my progress session after session. Every time I went out on track, I felt myself becoming more comfortable, more confident, and able to push a little harder. Of course, there’s still a long journey ahead, but Round 1 gave me a strong foundation to build on.” Despite standing on the podium in Race 2, Naqib admitted he was not completely satisfied with the result, believing there is still a gap between himself and the championship’s leading contenders. “I’m grateful for the podium because it’s always special to finish inside the top three, but honestly, I’m not fully satisfied with the result. I know there were circumstances that worked in my favour, especially after Kitsada suffered an injury during warm-up. I don’t want to rely on luck to achieve podium finishes. I want to earn them purely through performance and pace. During the opening laps, I managed to stay with Thanat and Khairul, and that experience was incredibly valuable. Watching how they approached different corners, where they braked, and how they carried their speed gave me a lot to learn. Racing alongside experienced riders like them motivates me because it shows me the level I need to reach.” Currently sitting third in the championship standings, Naqib knows the next step is improving both his physical condition and his ability to fully control the demanding MSBK600 machine over race distance. “To fight consistently with riders like Thanat and Khairul, I know I need to become stronger physically. The 600cc bike requires much more strength to control, especially during hard braking, fast direction changes, and over a full race distance. At the same time, I also need to improve my stamina because racing in Malaysia’s hot weather is extremely demanding. When you’re physically stronger, you can stay focused for longer, make better decisions, and continue pushing at your maximum pace until the chequered flag. That’s one of my biggest priorities right now.” After battling unpredictable weather conditions during the opening round, Naqib hopes Round 2 will provide more favourable conditions while anticipating another intense contest among the championship’s leading riders. “Round 1 was challenging because the changing weather made every session unpredictable. As riders, we always have to adapt quickly, but of course everyone hopes for stable conditions. I think Round 2 is going to be another exciting battle because every rider will come better prepared after learning from the opening round. The competition is going to be even closer, and that’s something I’m really looking forward to. Hopefully, we’ll have good weather so everyone can race at their full potential and give the fans an exciting weekend.” Although capable of adapting to changing conditions, Naqib admits he feels most comfortable racing on a dry circuit where every rider has the opportunity to push to their absolute limit. “Personally, I prefer racing on a dry track. In dry conditions, everyone has the confidence to push as hard as possible, and that’s where I enjoy competing the most. It becomes a real test of skill, bravery, consistency, and racecraft. Fighting against strong riders in those conditions pushes me mentally and physically, and I believe that’s the best environment for me to continue improving as a rider. Every close battle teaches me something new and helps me become stronger for the future.” Looking ahead to Round 2, Naqib’s focus extends beyond results, with his primary objective centred on continuous improvement as he continues adapting to life in the MSBK600 category. “For Round 2, my biggest target is to keep improving every time I go out on track. I want to understand the bike even better, improve my riding technique, and continue reducing my lap times. At the same time, I want to challenge the front riders more consistently and see how close I can get to them. I’m not putting unnecessary pressure on myself because I know this is still part of my learning process, but I want to leave the weekend knowing I’ve taken another big step forward. If I can keep improving in every session, I’m confident the results will eventually come.”
NWN CZ1 SCK RACING TEAM rider Irfan Ardiansyah arrives at Round 2 of MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship 2026 full of confidence after delivering a flawless performance in the season opener, where he claimed victory in both races to collect the maximum 50 championship points. The Indonesian rider established himself as the early championship leader in the MSBK250 A category after showcasing impressive pace, consistency and composure throughout the opening weekend. Building on the momentum from his third-place finish in the overall standings last season, Irfan now heads into Round 2 determined to continue his strong form while remaining focused on the bigger picture. Reflecting on his perfect start to the season, Irfan credited the achievement to the collective effort of his entire team. “Of course, it’s a very positive way to begin the season. Winning both races and collecting the maximum 50 points is always satisfying, but this result wasn’t achieved by me alone. It was the product of everyone working together throughout the weekend. The team did an excellent job preparing the bike, making the right decisions and supporting me in every session.” “I’m really grateful for the effort everyone has put in because success like this only comes when the rider and the team work as one. This result gives us a great foundation for the season, but we all know there’s still a long way to go.” Although he enters Round 2 with a perfect championship tally, Irfan remains grounded and is determined not to let the early success affect his approach. “We’ll see what happens in Round 2, but my mindset hasn’t changed. I don’t want to think too far ahead or put unnecessary pressure on myself. My focus is simply on continuing the good work we’ve already started and bringing the same level of performance that we showed in Round 1.” “I just want to stay focused on myself, keep improving every time I go out on track and make sure we’re fully prepared for another competitive weekend. If we continue doing the right things, the results will take care of themselves.” Round 1 presented its own challenges, with changing weather conditions testing both riders and teams throughout the weekend. Nevertheless, Irfan remained one of the most consistent performers on the grid, thanks largely to the team’s technical preparation. “The first thing is always having a good bike setup because that gives you confidence in every condition. When the bike is working well, it’s much easier for the rider to understand what it’s needs and how to adapt when the conditions change.” “Throughout the weekend, the team and I worked really well together to find the right setup, and that allowed me to feel comfortable and stay calm even when the weather wasn’t ideal. Once you have that confidence in the bike, you can focus completely on your riding and making the right decisions on track.” Having finished third overall in last year’s championship, Irfan admits that his ambitions are much higher this season, even if he is taking a measured approach. “It’s still very early in the championship, but my goal is to become the champion this year. That’s what motivates me every time I get on the bike.” “At the same time, I know championships aren’t won in the opening round. You have to build them step by step, so my approach is to take it one round at a time and collect as many points as possible at every opportunity. If we can stay consistent throughout the season, we’ll give ourselves the best chance of achieving our goal.” Despite enjoying a dream start, Irfan believes the championship fight is only just beginning and knows there is still plenty of work ahead. “I believe in myself, my team and everything we’ve been working towards. The most important thing now is to stay focused on what I’m doing and not become distracted by anything else.” “We’ve started the season well, but every new round is another challenge. I know I have what it takes to fight for the championship, but I also know that I have to keep working hard because nothing comes easily in this sport.” With the MSBK250 A grid expected to become even more competitive as the season progresses, Irfan refuses to single out any particular rival. “Honestly, everyone is strong this season. Every rider and every team has the ability to improve, and that’s what makes the championship exciting. I respect all of my competitors because I know they will all be pushing hard to win.” “For me, it doesn’t really matter who my biggest challenger is because I’ll always prepare in the same way. I’ll give my maximum in every session, every qualifying and every race. That’s all I can control, and that’s exactly what I plan to do again this weekend.”
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.”