HAFIZH OUT TO RAKE IN THE POINTS IN TEXAS
Rookie Hafizh out to rake in the points in Texas
PETALING JAYA: All eyes will be on Malaysian rookie Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah as he bids for his third successive points finish in MotoGP in Texas this weekend.
The Monster Yamaha Tech3 rider heads to the Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas in Texas, United States, as the leading rookie in the world championship after two point-scoring finishes in Qatar and Argentina.
Hafizh’s nine points are three more than the nearest fellow rookie Franco Morbidelli of Italy, who is also last year’s Moto2 champion, and six more than Takaaki Nakagami of Japan.
It’s an indication of the fantastic start he has enjoyed to the season.
The race in Argentina two weeks ago was particularly impressive for Hafizh, making up eight places on the opening lap from 23rd to battle throughout the race with the likes of Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP), Rossi’s teammate Maverick Vinales and Ducati Team rider Andrea Dovizioso.
After the race at the Termas de Rio Hondo circuit, Yamaha Tech 3 team manager Herve Poncharal was full of praise for his new rider.
“Huge congratulations to Hafizh Syahrin, who had an exceptional weekend without any mistake.
“He was just a bit too nervous for the qualifying, so he could not show what he was expecting,” said Poncharal.
“But starting from almost last to finish the race in ninth position, fighting with all the factory guys, I think this is something that is going to boost his confidence.”
Improving his performance in qualifying is something Hafizh will be targeting in Texas – a track where he finished sixth in 2015 in Moto2 after starting from 15th that day.
Hafizh visited double World Superbike champion and former MotoGP rider Colin Edwards at his Texas Tornado Boot Camp to get some valuable training and tips before he takes to the track today.
“I’m really happy with the results that we’ve done in the first two races and I’m looking forward to the race this weekend.
“My physical condition is good, I improved step by step and I’m more than ready for this third round,” said Hafizh, who is now 13th in the overall standings.