Penang teenager Danial gets third straight podium finish
PETALING JAYA: Danial Syahmi Ahmad Shahril stole the thunder from his seniors Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah and Adam Norrodin by making sure Malaysia landed on the podium on Japanese soil.
The 15-year-old continued his hot form in the second half of the season by fighting his way to third in Race 1 of the Idemitsu Asia Talent Cup at Motegi yesterday.
The Asia Talent Cup is the official support event in the MotoGP calendar and Japan was the stage for the penultimate round of the championship.
Danial was in front with three laps to go but failed to hold on and eventually secured the last podium spot behind Sho Nishimura of Japan.
Another Japanese rider Takuma Matsuyama earned cheers for the home fans by taking the chequered flag.
Danial made it a clean sweep for Malaysia by winning both races at the inaugural Thailand MotoGP round in Buriram two weeks ago.
The Penang-born Danial was thrilled to get on the podium for the third straight time. Danial clinched a maiden podium finish when he finished third at the Sepang International Circuit (SIC) in July.
He was one of the top five graduates from the pioneer SIC motorsports development programme and his mentor is none other than former Moto3 podium finisher Zulfahmi Khairuddin.
“My objective is to continue to be on the podium.
“Every race is so competitive and close. There are easily seven to eight riders who can win.
“I’m just happy to continue to do the country proud again,” said Danial, who has now moved to third in the overall championship standings.
He has garnered 127 points behind Japan’s Haruki Noguchi (137) and Australian Bill Van Erde (153).
Hafizh, riding for Monster Yamaha Tech3, was 24th fastest in the combined practice times for MotoGP yesterday (1:47.726).
Adam from Petronas Sprinta Racing team also struggled on the first day, clocking the 27th fastest time of 2:12.469.