Hafizh Syahrin unlucky in Barcelona Catalan MotoGP

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s first MotoGP rider Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah failed to grab any points at the Catalan Motorcycle Grand Prix in Barcelona despite an incredible race Sunday night.

The 24-year-old Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Team rider, who started from the 14th grid, had an impressive ride and fought his way through to ninth place before high-siding with just a few laps to go.

“I felt really good during the race, but just made a mistake and went wide. I tried to come back to the right line and I had a high-side immediately, so I crashed out.

“I’m truly sorry to the team. I will try to learn from this mistake and come back stronger,” said Hafizh in the team’s official website.

Hafizh, however, is fired up for the Dutch Grand Prix where he aims to make up for the lost points in just 12 days’ time.

“We could have finished inside the top nine, but it was not meant to be. I can’t express how sorry I feel for my guys and my sponsors and everybody (else) who support me.

“I promise, I will try to make up for this in the next round,” he said.

Spanish rider Jorge Lorenzo took his second MotoGP win in a row for the Ducati Team after winning the race in 40 minutes and 13.566 seconds. Current MotoGP leader and Spaniard Marc Marquez and Italian speed demon Valentino Rossi of Movistar Yamaha MotoGP finished behind the leader on +4.479s and +6.098s adrift, respectively.

Hafizh’s French teammate Johann Zarco ended the race in seventh place (+13.432s).