He’ll step on it
Ramdan eyes more podium spots after breakthrough in Europe
PETALING JAYA: Ramdan Rosli is optimistic more podium finishes will come for ONEXOX TKKR SAG Racing Team in Moto2 of the European Motorcycling Championship.
Ramdan claimed his first podium after finishing third in Race 1 of the season-opening round in Estoril, Portugal, on Sunday.
Finland’s Niki Tuuli won the 18-lap race ahead of Edgar Pons Ramon of Spain while former Malaysian Moto3 rider Adam Norrodin finished 11th.
Ramdan went on to take seventh spot in Race 2 while Adam also collected championship points with his 15th-place finish.
Ramdan is ranked fourth with 25 points while Adam is 11th on nine points in the championship standings.
Ramdan is the first Malaysian rider to make the podium since Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah in 2017 before the latter moved on to ride in the world championship.
The 23-year-old is delighted to earn the first podium for the Malaysian-backed team who are based in Barcelona, Spain.
“It was not an easy race by any means as I started 12th from the grid.
“We also had some problems in qualifying but the team sorted it out in time.
“I also kept believing in myself. It’s a great start to the season. This is a very competitive championship as most of the riders are eyeing to get into the world championship but hopefully, we can get more podium finishes,” said the Klang-born Ramdan.
Ramdan, who was formerly under the Petronas talent development programme for two wheels, joined Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman to be signed up to race in the Moto2 European Championship this year.
However, Azlan pulled out of the race after he crashed during the qualifying session.