IZAM TRIUMPHED IN SHOWDOWN
Round 4 of the 2025 AEON CREDIT MAM MALAYSIA SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP at the PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit witnessed a spectacular showdown in the MSBK600 category, as Md Izam Ikmal Izamli of HONG LEONG YAMAHA MALAYSIA claimed victory in Race 2. Despite Izam’s win, Khairul Idham Pawi of HONDA RACING MYS secured the MSBK600 Overall Champion title for the 2025 season.
From the outset, Izam had a strong start, but Farres Putra Md Fadhil of HONG LEONG YAMAHA MALAYSIA capitalized on an open line to take the early lead, with Khairul slotting into second. Izam quickly settled into third, closely followed by Cao Viet Nam and Md Irfan Haykhal Amidi of HONDA RACING MYS.
The early laps saw relentless action at the front. Izam and Khairul swapped positions repeatedly, with both riders setting fastest laps and keeping the crowd on edge. By Lap 4, light rain added an extra layer of challenge, but the duo maintained a gap over Farres, who held third position.
Lap 5 brought more drama as Izam set the fastest lap of 2’11.705s to take the lead, only for Khairul to reclaim it at Turn 6. The battle continued through multiple laps with both riders overtaking each other at nearly every turn, while Cao Viet Nam and Farres fought fiercely for third. Lap 9 saw Viet Nam crash but rejoin the race, leaving Farres unchallenged in third.
The final lap saw both Izam and Khairul pushing every corner, Khairul attempted a last-moment overtake at the final turn. Izam skilfully blocked him, using his momentum on the straight to cross the finish line first in 22’15.716s, just 0.063s ahead of Khairul, who finished second at 22’15.779s. Farres completed the podium in third at 22’24.475s.
Izam said, “Today’s race was insane. I knew I had a very good start, and this weekend, Khairul was much faster compared to the previous round. He tried to maintain his pace and was very aggressive, especially with Race 2 in mind. I stayed with him in the early stages, and it became an intense battle, especially through many of the corners. On the last lap, I knew Khairul was strong on the brakes, so I had to block him into Turn 14 to prevent the overtake, and it worked. Into Turn 15, I held the inside line, and at the corner exit, I knew that was my moment. This win is a blessing from the prayers and support of everyone around me.”
Overall, as announced yesterday, Khairul is crowned MSBK600 Overall Champion, with 147 points, ahead of Farres with 114 points and Cao Viet Nam with 109 points.
SIC AND TWMR WOULD LIKE TO EXPRESS OUR HEARTFELT THANK YOU TO AEON CREDIT (M) BERHAD FOR THE SUPPORT RENDERED THIS WEEKEND DURING AEON CREDIT MAM MALAYSIA SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP.
TOP 5 FASTEST – RACE 2
1. MUHD IZAM IKMAL IZAMLI – HONG LEONG YAMAHA MYS (22’15.716s)
2. KHAIRUL IDHAM PAWI – HONDA RACING MYS (22’15.779s)
3. FARRES PUTRA MOHD FADHIL – HONG LEONG YAMAHA MYS (22’24.475s)
4. MD IRFAN HAYKHAL AMIDI (22’41.108s)
5. CAO VIET NAM – HONDA RACING VIE TEAM (23’07.165s)
TOP 5 – OVERALL STANDINGS
1. KHAIRUL IDHAM PAWI – HONDA RACING MYS (147 points)
2. FARRES PUTRA MOHD FADHIL – HONG LEONG YAMAHA MALAYSIA (114 points)
3. CAO VIET NAM – HONDA RACING VIE TEAM (109 points)
4. MUHD IZAM IKMAL IZAMLI – HONG LEONG YAMAHA MALAYSIA (95 points)
5. ZHOU FENGLONG – CHINA (77 points)