Former MotoGP star Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah produced a masterclass in resilience and raw speed to claim victory in Race 1 of the ASB1000 category at the Asia Road Racing Championship (ARRC) today. Despite facing an early setback, the JDT Racing Team rider proved his class by leading a dominant Malaysian charge at the Chang International Circuit.

Starting from fifth on the grid, Hafizh Syahrin’s race strategy was put to the ultimate test when he was slapped with a long lap penalty on the third lap. The penalty caused him to drop to sixth place, momentarily losing touch with the leading pack.

However, Hafizh showcased the superior power of his JDT Racing Team machinery and his world-class experience, picking off his rivals one by one with clinical precision. With six laps remaining, he executed a decisive move to take the lead and never looked back, crossing the finish line with a commanding 2.626-second advantage over the field.

The Malaysian celebrations were doubled as Azroy Hakeem Anuar, representing Honda Asia-Dream Racing, delivered a stellar performance to secure second place. Azroy fought a hard-fought battle against the frontrunners, eventually holding off Japanese rider Keito Abe to ensure the top two steps of the podium were draped in the Jalur Gemilang.

The victory marks a perfect start for the Malaysian contingent in Round 2 of the ARRC, showcasing the nation’s growing dominance in the premier 1000cc class.

Race 1 Results (ASB1000):

• 🥇 Hafizh Syahrin 🇲🇾 (JDT Racing Team)
• 🥈 Azroy Hakeem 🇲🇾 (Honda Asia-Dream Racing)
• 🥉 Keito Abe 🇯🇵 (ONEXOX TKKR BMW)