IRFAN EDGED HAYKHAL IN LAST-LAP DUEL

The Round 1 of 2026 MAM Malaysia Superbike Championship happened at the PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit, as Irfan Ardiansyah of NWN CZ1 SCK RACING TEAM delivered a perfectly timed final-lap move to win Race 1 of MSBK250 A.

At the start, Md Irfan Haykhal Amidi of MOTUL HONDA RACING MALAYSIA grabbed the holeshot, with Irfan slotting into second and Nguyen Huu Tri of HONDA RACING VIETNAM TEAM briefly holding third. Behind them, a tight battle developed for fourth between Nazirul Izzat Md Bahauddin of TEAM ACR and Md Akif Abdullah of MOTUL HONDA RACING MALAYSIA.

By Lap 2, Irfan reclaimed second and immediately focused on Haykhal, as the leading trio pulled clear of the field. On Lap 3, Irfan set the fastest lap of 2’25.985s, but Haykhal remained composed at the front, defending with precision.

The gap at the front continued to shrink, with Irfan closing to just 0.036s by Lap 7. Still, Haykhal held firm as the race headed into a tense final-lap showdown.

Then came the decisive moment. Irfan attacked at the final corner, briefly taking the lead before Haykhal responded, but Irfan struck again and made it stick. In a drag to the line, Irfan edged victory in 19’38.497s, just 0.038s ahead of Haykhal in a nail-biting finish.

Nguyen Huu Tri secured a solid third place at 19’42.426s, while Nazirul Izzat Md Bahauddin finished fourth ahead of Savion Sabu of RACR CASTROL POWER1 in fifth.

Irfan commented, “Actually, me and Haykhal had a similar pace, so I was just waiting to get a good moment to attack. I chose the last lap to make my move, and the victory became mine. I’m so happy.”

TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 1

1. IRFAN ARDIANSYAH – NWN CZ1 SCK RACING TEAM (19’38.497s)

2. MD IRFAN HAYKHAL AMIDI – MOTUL HONDA RACING MALAYSIA (19’38.535s)

3. NGUYEN HUU TRI – HONDA RACING VIETNAM TEAM (19’42.426s)

4. NAZIRUL IZZAT MD BAHAUDDIN – TEAM ACR (19’57.642s)

5. SAVION SABU – RACR CASTROL POWER1 (20’00.409s)