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.”
For most motorcycle riders, the journey begins at a young age. From riding pocket bikes, slowly climbing the ranks through years of racing experience. But for Mohd Fahmi Abdul Wahaf of FGRT PROJECT ONE, the road into professional racing began differently. There were no junior championships. No childhood racing background. No early years spent on circuits. Instead, Fahmi’s journey began in 2022 with a purchase that would unexpectedly change the course of his life, with a Ducati Panigale V4. “First of all, I got involved in motorsports after buying my first superbike, a Ducati Panigale V4, in 2022,” Fahmi recalled. “I attended my very first track day in July 2022. After experiencing track riding for the first time, I realised that simply riding during track days was no longer enough for me. Something inside me wanted more. That was when I decided to join riding classes with Coach Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman, and that marked the true beginning of my journey in racing.” What started as curiosity quickly evolved into commitment. Fahmi still remembers his first riding lesson with former national rider Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman on 22 September 2022, a moment he now sees as the turning point of his racing career. “At the beginning, my goal was simply to learn the correct riding techniques for track days,” he explained. “But over time, under Coach Azlan’s guidance, I improved and became more confident on the bike. Eventually, I shared my dream of becoming a racer with him, and he took my ambition seriously. From that moment onward, the training became much more intense and focused because we were no longer preparing just for track days, we were preparing for racing.” Unlike many riders in the paddock who began racing at a young age, Fahmi entered the sport later in life and directly into superbike racing, a path he admits came with its own challenges. “Yes, my journey is definitely different from most professional riders,” he said. “I started at a much later age, but age has never stopped my passion for motorsports. Every rider faces challenges in this sport. Some riders are naturally gifted and adapt very quickly. For me, I relied more on determination, discipline, hard work, and consistent training to reach this level.” That determination soon led him to the MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship, the platform that would ultimately shape his racing career. Fahmi made his debut in the MSBK1000 A category during Round 4 of the 2023 season at the PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit on 17 December 2023, which became a moment that remains unforgettable. “At that time, my best lap time at Sepang was around 2’19:000s,” Fahmi recalled. “Back then, I joined races mainly to gain experience and learn as much as possible. I was also very fortunate to begin my racing journey with FGRT PROJECT ONE, a team that gave me the opportunity and support during the early stages of my career.” But the rider who entered the grid then is vastly different from the one competing today. “Now, my mindset is completely different. Today, I race to compete with other riders and fight for podiums, victories, and championships.” While the journey has been rewarding, it has also demanded sacrifices. “The biggest challenges for me are fitness, time, and energy management,” Fahmi admitted. “At my current age, I have to compete against younger riders and full-time professional racers. At the same time, I also have responsibilities outside racing, including my career and family commitments. Because of that, I need to work even harder to remain competitive at this level.” Yet, through hard work and persistence, Fahmi’s progress in MSBK has opened doors far beyond Malaysia, earning him an opportunity to race in the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship. Still, Fahmi never forgets where it all truly began. For him, MSBK was not just another championship. It was the platform that transformed a newcomer with zero racing experience into a rider capable of competing at a professional level. And for those who believe it may be “too late” to pursue a dream, here’s Fahmi’s message to all: “I believe there is no such thing as ‘too late’ in any field, including racing. The most important things are passion, dedication, consistency, and the willingness to work hard for your dreams.”
Round 1 of the 2026 MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship at the PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit delivered a thrilling wet-weather showdown in Race 2 of the MSBK1000 A category, where Mohammad Adenanta Putra of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM produced a composed and decisive performance to secure victory and bounce back from a difficult Race 1. The race was initially delayed after a red flag was shown during the warm-up lap due to a sudden change in weather. With rain intensifying, Race Direction called teams back into the pits as they quickly switched to wet tyres, setting up a shortened seven-lap sprint on a fully soaked circuit. When the race finally got underway, Muhd Zaqhwan Zaidi from Malaysia immediately surged into the lead, setting a strong early pace despite the treacherous conditions. Kasma Daniel Kasmayudin of HONG LEONG YAMAHA MALAYSIA followed in second, with Adenanta settling into third ahead of Adam Norrodin and Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman of AMI SUZUKI MOTORSPORT. By Lap 2, Zaqhwan was pushing at extreme pace, reaching 282km/h, but Adenanta remained close in the fight, just 0.276s behind. On Lap 3, Azlan made a significant move into second place with a fastest lap of 2’28.075s, closing rapidly on the leader, while Adenanta stayed steady in third and Adam continued a lone ride in fourth. Zaqhwan responded on Lap 4 with another fastest lap of 2’27.266s, but Azlan stayed within striking distance. Lap 5 saw Azlan push harder again with a 2’25.738s lap, tightening the battle at the front as Adenanta and Adam gradually edged closer to the lead group. The decisive moment came on Lap 6 when Azlan briefly took the lead, only for Adenanta to immediately counter with a clean and calculated overtake to seize first place. From there, he controlled the final lap under intense pressure. Adenanta crossed the line in 17’14.132s to claim victory, followed by Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman in 17’16.001s and Muhd Zaqhwan Zaidi in 17’16.937s after a late charge. Adenanta said, “This weekend both races were wet, and it’s my first experience in these conditions in this category. Yesterday I had good pace but crashed on the last lap. I learned from that—today I stayed calm, improved lap by lap, and managed the tyres better. In the final laps, I knew I could push. Alhamdulillah for the win. This is important for my experience, and now I’m ready for Round 2 of ARRC in Buriram.” TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 2 1. MOHAMMAD ADENANTA PUTRA – ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM (17’14.132s) 2. AZLAN SHAH KAMARUZAMAN – AMI SUZUKI MOTORSPORT (17’16.001s) 3. MUHD ZAQWHAN ZAIDI – MALAYSIA (17’16.937s) 4. ADAM NORRODIN – AMI SUZUKI MOTORSPORT (17’17.188s) 5. KASMA DANIEL KASMAYUDIN – HONG LEONG YAMAHA MALAYSIA (17’25.305s)
Round 1 of the MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship 2026 at PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit continued to deliver unpredictable drama, as Race 2 of the MSBK1000 B category unfolded in wet and challenging conditions. The race was initially delayed when a sudden change in weather during the warm-up lap triggered a red flag, forcing riders back to the pits. With rain intensifying, Race Direction declared a delay as teams quickly switched to wet tyres, setting up a shortened seven-lap sprint on a slippery and unpredictable surface. As the race started, Jeff Cheong of B.A TUNING launched strongly to take the holeshot, with Santhiran A/L Naga Raju from Malaysia close behind in second. Chau Chi Chuen, also of B.A TUNING, settled into third, followed by Teuku Irfan Affandy of TRIPLE A MOTOEXPERT. By Lap 2, Santhiran began to apply pressure on Jeff at the front, while the battle behind intensified as Wesley Lim Shing Shiong of SAVITAR TEAM ASIA moved up into fourth, tightening the leading group. The order briefly stabilised on Lap 4 with Santhiran leading Jeff, followed by Chi Chuen, and Wesley. Lap 5 proved crucial when Wesley capitalised on an opportunity to overtake Chi Chuen for third, reshuffling the podium fight. However, the changing wet conditions continued to test the riders, with constant position battles through Lap 6. Heading into the final lap, Santhiran held firm at the front, showing exceptional control and consistency under pressure. Jeff remained within striking distance but was unable to launch a decisive attack. Behind them, Chi Chuen fought back to secure third ahead of Wesley, while Alvinderjitsingh stayed in contention. At the chequered flag, Santhiran secured his second win of the weekend in 19’03.694s, confirming his status as Weekend Champion. Jeff Cheong finished second in 19’20.125s, just 0:394 seconds behind, while Chau Chi Chuen completed the podium in 19’32.575s. Santhiran said, “The conditions were really tricky after the rain, so I focused on staying consistent and avoiding mistakes. Jeff had strong pace early on, but once I found my rhythm, I managed to control the race. I’m really happy to take two wins this weekend and become the Weekend Champion. Big thanks to my team for the great setup in wet conditions. A big thanks to my brothers who supported me as sponsors for this race.” TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 2 1. SANTHIRAN A/L NAGA RAJU – MALAYSIA (19’03.694s) 2. JEFF CHEONG – B.A TUNING (19’20.125s) 3. WESLEY LIM SHING SHIONG – SAVITAR TEAM ASIA (19’32.575s) 4. CHAU CHI CHUEN – B.A TUNING (19’38.041s) 5. ALVINDERJITSINGH – MALAYSIA (19’58.964s)
Round 1 of the 2026 MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship at the PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit saw Thanat Laoongplio of HONDA RACING THAILAND produce a flawless performance in Race 2 of the MSBK600 category, securing a dominant lights-to-flag win to complete a perfect weekend. Thanat immediately took control from the start, launching into the lead ahead of Malaysia’s Khairul Idham Pawi and Muhd Naqib Rifqi Zulhelmi, with China’s He Jun Peng settling into fourth. From the opening laps, the Thai rider looked composed and confident, setting the rhythm of the race while Khairul remained his closest pursuer. By Lap 3, Thanat stamped his authority with the fastest lap of 2’12.865s, gradually extending his advantage while Khairul stayed within 1.066 seconds. However, as the race developed, the gap steadily increased. By Lap 7, Thanat had stretched his lead to 2.776 seconds, with Khairul struggling to maintain consistency under heavy braking into the technical sections. The decisive phase came in the closing laps, where Thanat continued to edge away from the chasing pack. By Lap 8, the gap had grown to 3.318 seconds, effectively sealing the outcome. With clear air ahead, he controlled the pace and brought the bike home comfortably to win in 22’21.178s. Behind him, Khairul Idham Pawi settled for second place in 22’25.779s after a demanding race managing tyre and braking performance, while Muhd Naqib Rifqi Zulhelmi secured third in 22’41.805s. He Jun Peng of China completed the top four, rounding out the leading group. Thanat shared, “I’m very happy with this race. We tried to pull away from Khairul and managed to win. The wind was very strong, especially in Sectors 2 and 3, so it was difficult to push because the bike could slide. But I felt confident, and I’m ready for Round 2 of ARRC. I know I’m strong, but I still need to improve further.” TOP 4 FASTEST – RACE 2 1. THANAT LAOONGPLIO – HONDA RACING THAILAND (22’21.178s) 2. KHAIRUL IDHAM PAWI – MALAYSIA (22’25.779s) 3. MUHD NAQIB RIFQI ZULHELMI – MALAYSIA (22’41.805s) 4. HE JUN PENG – CHINA (24’07.648s)
Race 2 of the MSBK250 A category in Round 1 MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship at the PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit delivered another dramatic showdown, as Irfan Ardiansyah of NWN CZ1 SCK RACING TEAM secured a sensational double victory after a last-corner battle with Md Irfan Haykhal Amidi of MOTUL HONDA RACING MALAYSIA. At the start, Haykhal launched perfectly to take the holeshot, with Irfan slotting into second ahead of Nazirul Izzat Md Bahauddin of TEAM ACR and Muhd Akif Abdullah. The race was immediately reduced when Allwin Xavier of RACR CASTROL POWER1 crashed out in the early stages. By Lap 2, Haykhal controlled the pace at the front, but Irfan stayed firmly attached to his rear wheel, never allowing a gap to form. Behind them, a tight three-way fight developed for third between Nazirul, Nguyen Huu Tri of HONDA RACING VIETNAM TEAM, and Akif, all fighting within striking distance. On Lap 3, Haykhal set the fastest lap of 2’26.223s in an attempt to break away, but Irfan responded immediately, matching the pace and keeping the pressure alive. The leading pair began to edge clear, building a small gap of around three seconds over the chasing group, where the battle for the final podium spot intensified. Lap 5 saw Nazirul briefly move into third, but Huu Tri and Akif refused to let go, staying close and constantly attacking. Up front, the momentum shifted on Lap 6 when Irfan made his move to take the lead, forcing Haykhal into chase mode. The final lap delivered maximum drama. Irfan defended strongly through the opening sectors, while Haykhal waited for his moment. At the final corner, Haykhal attempted a bold move and briefly edged ahead, but ran wide on exit, allowing Irfan to cut back underneath in a perfectly timed counter. In a drag to the line, Irfan Ardiansyah crossed first in 19’43.732s, just 0.106s ahead of Md Irfan Haykhal Amidi. Nazirul Izzat Md Bahauddin completed the podium in 19’48.238s, ahead of Nguyen Huu Tri and Muhd Akif Abdullah after an intense fight for third. Irfan commented, “I just focused during the race. When I overtook, I focused on maintaining my position. On the last lap, I just went full gas. I didn’t know if someone would overtake me, so I pushed as hard as I could until the end.” TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 2 1. IRFAN ARDIANSYAH – NWN CZ1 SCK RACING TEAM (19’43.732s) 2. MD IRFAN HAYKHAL AMIDI – MOTUL HONDA RACING MALAYSIA (19’43.838s) 3. NAZIRUL IZZAT MD BAHAUDDIN – TEAM ACR (19’48.238s) 4. NGUYEN HUU TRI – HONDA RACING VIETNAM TEAM (19’48.285s) 5. MUHD AKIF ABDULLAH – MOTUL HONDA RACING MALAYSIA (19’48.486s)
Round 1 of the MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship 2026 at the PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit delivered a powerful redemption story in Race 2 of the MSBK250 B category, as Carlsen Jacob Solis of FCC-HONDA PHILIPPINES INC RACING TEAM bounced back in style to secure victory and claim the Weekend Champion title. From the start, Carlsen wasted no time asserting control, launching strongly into the lead ahead of Ng Wei Shyang of MAGIC PAPAYA RACING TEAM, while Kabilesh Rajini Krishnan of RACR CASTROL POWER1 settled into third position. The early laps immediately set the tone for a race defined by consistency and control. By Lap 2, Kabilesh made a decisive move to overtake Wei Shyang for second, establishing himself as the closest challenger. However, Carlsen had already built a commanding advantage at the front, stretching his lead to over 14 seconds, effectively putting the race under his control from an early stage. From Laps 3 to 7, the front-running trio maintained their positions, with Kabilesh attempting to close the gap but unable to reduce Carlsen’s margin. The leader remained composed throughout, managing pace and tyre performance effectively in clean air while his rivals focused on securing their positions behind him. Despite Kabilesh’s determined push for a potential double victory on the weekend, Carlsen remained untouchable. His consistency and confidence allowed him to control the rhythm of the race without any major pressure from behind. On the final lap, Carlsen Jacob Solis crossed the chequered flag in commanding fashion with a winning time of 20’32.094s, completing a remarkable turnaround after a difficult Race 1 and sealing the Weekend Champion title. Kabilesh Rajini Krishnan followed in second place at 20’54.002s, while Ng Wei Shyang completed the podium in 21’25.675s. Carlsen said, “We changed some settings on the bike, so thanks to the team for that. Yesterday was a difficult race, but they worked on the setup and handlebars to help me regain confidence. I’m really grateful to them, and also to my family and friends for their support.” TOP 3 FASTEST – RACE 2 1. CARLSEN JACOB SOLIS – FCC-HONDA PHILIPPINES INC RACING TEAM (20’32.094s) 2. KABILESH RAJINI KRISHNAN – RACR CASTROL POWER1 (20’54.002s) 3. NG WEI SHYANG – MAGIC PAPAYA RACING TEAM (21’25.675s)
Treacherous wet conditions set the tone for an action-packed Race 2 of the BERJAYA SOMPO YAMAHA R15M Race Elites category at Round 1 of the MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship 2026, held at the PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit. At lights out, Raja Abdurraqib Raja Norfatihah of BEN HUAT MOTOR made a strong start to lead the pack, with Adam Danial Abdul Fattah of BERJAYA MEGA and Ahmad Malek Ridha of LKT MOTOR closely in tow. The opening laps saw tight battles across the field, but the wet surface quickly began to take its toll. Drama struck on Lap 2 when Muhd Ikram Dani of TME MOTOR lost control after running onto the curb, triggering a series of incidents that also saw Mohd Arrfan Ashraf of KEAT SENG MOTOR and Muhd Ali Imran Mohd Dzul Hijri of CHJ MOTORS crash out. The high attrition rate highlighted just how demanding the conditions were. By Lap 3, Adam Danial had taken control of the race, demonstrating remarkable composure in the slippery conditions. Behind him, Shahuzzaifie Adli Shafendi of FASROI M SB emerged as a serious contender, setting the fastest lap of the race at 3’18.292s and storming into second place. The battle intensified with riders like Che Muhammad Daniel Syazwan of SENG HOE MOTOR of and Adam Hariz Hafiz of K SENG MOTOR pushing into the top positions. Heading into Lap 4, Adam maintained his lead under mounting pressure from Shahuzzaifie, while Md Akif Qayyum Rosefendy of TKC RACING climbed into podium contention. Raja, who had led the early stages, began to slip back as the race entered its decisive phase. The final lap delivered a dramatic twist. As the leading group fought for position, Raja’s race ended in heartbreak with a crash at Turn 15, reshaping the podium fight in the closing moments. At the chequered flag, Adam Danial held his nerve to secure a hard-earned victory in 16’40.786s, fending off Shahuzzaifie by just 0.068s in one of the closest finishes of the weekend. Akif completed the podium with a strong ride to third. Reflecting on his performance, Adam said, “When it comes to wet race, it’s no longer just about speed, but how smart you race. I saw riders falling throughout the race, so I had to be extra careful because I wanted to finish. I guess I did well today, and the victory is mine.” TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 2 1. ADAM DANIAL ABDUL FATTAH – BERJAYA MEGA (16’40.786s) 2. SHAHUZZAIFIE ADLI SHAFENDI – FASROI M SB (16’40.854s) 3. MD AKIF QAYYUM ROSEFENDY – TKC RACING (16’45.969s) 4. ADAM HARIZ HAFIZ – K SENG MOTOR (16’48.244s) 5. CHE MUHAMMAD DANIEL SYAZWAN – SENG HOE MOTOR (16’49.249s)