Irfan Ardiansyah of NWN CZ1 SCK RACING TEAM produced a sensational final-lap comeback to snatch victory in Race 2 of the MSBK250 A category during Round 2 of the MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship 2026 at PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit, emerging victorious from a dramatic three-way battle. The race began with a brilliant start from Md Irfan Haykhal Amidi of MOTUL HONDA RACING MALAYSIA, who immediately launched into the lead ahead of Nguyen Huu Tri of HONDA RACING VIETNAM TEAM and Irfan Ardiansyah of NWN CZ1 SCK RACING TEAM. Muhd Akif Abdullah of MOTUL HONDA RACING MALAYSIA and Muhd Haziq Muhd Fairues of OSAMA RACING TEAM completed the early leading group. Haykhal quickly settled into his rhythm, but Irfan remained firmly attached to his rear wheel, with the gap between the two separated by just 0.085s on Lap 2. Behind them, Huu Tri and Haziq engaged in their own battle for third place, while Ahmad Afif Amran of RAPIDO YAMAHA FIVEZERO RACING TEAM began his charge after moving ahead of Akif. The intensity increased as Huu Tri set the fastest lap of the race on Lap 3 with a time of 2’25.563s, while Haykhal and Irfan continued their battle at the front. However, drama struck when Akif crashed out of contention, ending his race prematurely. By Lap 5, the leading trio of Haykhal, Irfan and Huu Tri had closed up, with just 0.440s separating them. Afif then made his move, overtaking Huu Tri to join the fight for the podium, while Nazirul Izzat Muhd Bahauddin of TEAM ACR climbed into the top five. The final laps saw Haykhal maintained the lead, but Irfan began searching for an opportunity, while Afif stayed within striking distance waiting for his chance. Entering the final lap, Irfan made his move at Turn 1 to take the lead from Haykhal, with Afif also advancing into third after overtaking Huu Tri. Haykhal responded immediately, reclaiming the lead as the trio charged towards the finish line. Afif attempted a final attack at the last corner but ran wide, allowing Irfan to regain the advantage and power across the line first in 19’35.995s. Haykhal secured second place just 0.293s behind the winner with a time of 19’36.288s, while Afif completed the podium in third after another impressive performance, finishing at 19’36.514s. Irfan commented, “From the very beginning, I focused on maintaining my race pace and staying consistent throughout the race. I knew the key was to stay calm, avoid unnecessary risks and save my strongest push for the final lap. When the opportunity came, I trusted my feeling, made my move and fought until the very last corner. It was an incredible battle because everyone was pushing at the limit, but I believed in my strategy and never gave up. “I’m extremely grateful to my team and all my mechanics for their endless hard work, support and confidence in me. They have worked tirelessly behind the scenes to give me a competitive bike, and this victory is a result of everyone’s effort. Standing on the top step after such a close race makes this moment even more special, and I hope we can continue this momentum for the rest of the season.” TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 2 1. IRFAN ARDIANSYAH – NWN CZ1 SCK RACING TEAM (19’35.995s) 2. MD IRFAN HAYKHAL AMIDI – HRM MOTUL RACING TEAM (19’36.288s) 3. AHMAD AFIF AMRAN – RAPIDO YAMAHA FIVEZERO RACING TEAM (19’36.514s) 4. NGUYEN HUU TRI – HONDA RACING VIETNAM (19’36.759s) 5. NAZIRUL IZZAT MUHD BAHAUDDIN – TEAM ACR (19’49.767s)
Carlsen Jacob Solis of FCC – HONDA PHILIPPINES INC RACING TEAM capped off a flawless weekend by completing a dominant double victory in the MSBK250 B category during Race 2 of Round 2 of the MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship 2026 at PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit, securing his first clean sweep of the season and earning the coveted Weekend Champion title. Having already tasted success in Race 1, the Filipino rider once again showcased his composure and outright pace, controlling the eight-lap contest from lights to flag. Carlsen asserted his authority at the start, launching perfectly off the line to seize the holeshot ahead of Kabilesh, while Ng Wei Shyang of MAGIC PAPAYA RACING TEAM settled comfortably into third as the leading trio immediately established themselves at the front of the field. The order remained unchanged through the opening laps as Carlsen dictated the pace, with Kabilesh shadowing the race leader and looking for an opportunity to close the gap. Behind them, Wei Shyang maintained a consistent rhythm, comfortably holding third while the leading pair gradually pulled clear. By Lap 3, Kabilesh had reduced the deficit to just 1.390s, briefly raising hopes of a late challenge. However, Carlsen responded by immediately increased his advantage to 1.668s on the following lap before continuing to stretch the gap with a series of smooth laps. Carlsen never allowed his rival a realistic opportunity to mount an attack. Maintaining relentless consistency through Laps 5, 6 and 7, he controlled the race from the front before delivering one final push on the last lap. The race leader increased his pace once more, decisively pulling away as Kabilesh struggled to match his speed, while Wei Shyang remained unchallenged in third to complete the podium. After eight commanding laps, Carlsen crossed the finish line in 20’12.428s to secure his second victory of the weekend. Kabilesh followed in second with a time of 20’27.930s, while Wei Shyang completed the podium in third after clocking 21’07.153s. The victory marked Carlsen’s first double win of the 2026 campaign and crowned him the MSBK250 B Weekend Champion. Carlsen said, “It’s been an incredible weekend, and I’m really grateful to come away with another victory and complete the double. Coming into Race 2, I knew it wouldn’t be easy because everyone was pushing hard, especially Kabilesh, who kept the pressure on in the early laps. My focus was to stay calm, manage the race and avoid making any mistakes. Once I found a good rhythm, I concentrated on building the gap little by little without taking unnecessary risks.” “Huge credit goes to everyone in FCC – HONDA PHILIPPINES INC RACING TEAM because they’ve worked tirelessly throughout the weekend to keep improving the bike. Every adjustment we made gave me more confidence on track, and without their dedication this result wouldn’t have been possible. This isn’t just my victory, it’s a reward for the whole team. Winning both races and becoming Weekend Champion is a fantastic feeling, and it gives us great momentum heading into the next round.” TOP 3 FASTEST – RACE 2 1. CARLSEN JACOB SOLIS – FCC – HONDA PHILIPPINES INC RACING TEAM (20’12.428s) 2. KABILESH RAJINI KRISHNAN – RACR CASTROL POWER1 (20’27.930s) 3. NG WEI SHYANG – MAGIC PAPAYA RACING TEAM (21’07.153s)
Round 2 of the MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship 2026 at PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit saw Md Irfan Haykhal Amidi of MOTUL HONDA RACING MALAYSIA emerged victorious in a wet-weather Race 1 of the MSBK250 A category. Starting the race from pole position after setting the fastest qualifying time of 2’25.163s, Haykhal immediately showed strong pace despite the light drizzle that greeted riders at the start. The Malaysian rider made a brilliant launch to move into the lead, but the battle at the front quickly intensified as Nguyen Huu Tri of HONDA RACING VIETNAM TEAM, Irfan Ardiansyah of NWN CZ1 SCK RACING TEAM, Muhd Haziq Muhd Fairues of OSAMA RACING TEAM and Muhd Akif Abdullah of MOTUL HONDA RACING MALAYSIA challenged for the top positions. On Lap 2, Irfan moved ahead to take control of the race, while Haykhal remained close behind before reclaiming the lead on Lap 3 with the fastest lap time of 2’39.671s. However, Irfan launched a strong comeback on Lap 4, overtaking both Akif and Haykhal to return to the front, while Haziq continued to impress with a clean and consistent ride to remain within the leading group. The intense battle continued throughout the race, with Haykhal and Irfan repeatedly exchanging positions. On Lap 5, Haykhal returned to the lead before Irfan responded once again at the first corner on Lap 6. Despite the constant pressure from behind, Haykhal remained calm and focused, managing his pace while adapting to the difficult track conditions. Haykhal began to find his rhythm and increased his pace. Setting the fastest lap of the race with a 2’37.570s on the final lap, the Haykhal pushed his machine to the limit to secure the chequered flag with a winning time of 21’22.722s. Irfan Ardiansyah crossed the finish line just 1.142s behind to claim second place, while Akif completed the podium after another strong performance. Pillarisetty Sai Rahil of RACR CASTROL POWER1 and Ahmad Afif Amran of RAPIDO YAMAHA FIVEZERO RACING TEAM completed the top five. Haykhal said, “First of all, I want to thank my entire team for giving me such a competitive bike today. Racing in these conditions was incredibly challenging because the rain arrived just before the start, and we didn’t have the perfect wet setup. That meant I had to change my riding style, stay patient and adapt as quickly as possible with every lap.” “From the beginning, I wanted to be at the front, but I also knew that making mistakes in these conditions would be very costly. I stayed calm, followed the riders ahead, studied where they were strong and where there were opportunities. Once I found my rhythm, my confidence kept growing and I knew I could start pushing harder.” “The fight for the lead was intense because everyone was pushing to the limit, and every overtake had to be calculated carefully. On the final lap, I gave absolutely everything I had, and seeing the chequered flag first after such a demanding race is an amazing feeling. This victory means a lot to me, my team and everyone who has supported us. It’s a fantastic way to start the weekend, but we’ll stay focused because there is still another race ahead.” TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 1 1. MD IRFAN HAYKHAL AMIDI – HRM MOTUL RACING TEAM (21’22.722s) 2. IRFAN ARDIANSYAH – NWN CZ1 SCK RACING TEAM (21’23.864s) 3. MUHD AKIF ABDULLAH – HRM MOTUL RACING TEAM (21’25.851s) 4. PILLARISETTY SAI RAHIL – RACR CASTROL POWER1 (21’28.422s) 5. AHMAD AFIF AMRAN – RAPIDO YAMAHA FIVEZERO RACING TEAM (21’29.950s)
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)
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)
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.”
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)