No promises Hafizh will set pulses racing in home race

SEPANG: A video of Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah (pic) using his leg to help push Marc Marquez’s bike towards the finishing line of the Japanese Grand Prix in Motegi after it ran out of fuel became the main talking point of the motorsports world recently.

But the Malaysian MotoGP rider is wishing his sporting gesture is not the only thing that will be remembered this season.

It has been a nightmare season so far for Hafizh as he is struggling to impress with the under-performing KTM bike.

Hafizh is resigned to the fact that he will not score any top 10 finishes this season, having only collected eight points from 16 races.

Hafizh, who will move back to

Moto2 next year as KTM will not be competing in the MotoGP category, is thus hesitant to promise anything special to his fans for the Malaysia Motorcycle Grand Prix at Sepang International Circuit this weekend.

“It’s hard for me to talk about expectations,” said Hafizh, who finished an impressive 10th with his Yamaha bike in Sepang last year.

“I don’t have the bike that makes me confident I can finish in the top 10 or even in the top 15.

“I tried all sorts of set-ups and different riding styles but the improvements have been very small.”

But despite this, Hafizh said he will be fighting for the best results in his home race.

“It’s a special weekend for me and I will do my best. I want to do this for my fans, my family and for my team that always support me and believe in me,” said the 25-yearold.

“We will see what we can do, I just want to enjoy a good ride here.”