Akid shows he’s a tiger at Cub Prix – rain or shine

PETALING JAYA: Mohd Akid Aziz (pic) earned a reputation as an all-weather rider following his triumph in an unexpected squall in the second round of the 2020 Malaysian Cub Prix Championship.

The 21-year-old Petronas Sprinta Yamaha Maju Motor rider, who took pole position in the CP150 race, picked up his first win of the season with 15:46.337 at the Tangkak Racing Track yesterday.

After a full day of dry weather during free practice and qualifying on Saturday, the 20-lap race took place under a downpour after the halfway stage at the 1.1km Tangkak Racing Track.

Akid managed to fend off Idemitsu Honda Yuzy Racing rider Azroy Hakeem Anuar’s late onslaught to finish on top of the podium.

Azroy came in at 15:46.651 followed by Mohd Muzakkir Mohamed of ONEXOX TKKR SAG Team in third with 15:50.266.

“The race was tough. Our bike was set for a dry track so when the rain came down, it made our job that much more difficult. I pushed too hard at the start of the race and had to slow down because my tyres were losing grip midway through the race,” said Akid.

“That was the reason why I did not engage in a three-lap lead-swapping battle with Azroy. I had to conserve my tyres for a final push at the last corner. I’m just relieved my plan worked out.”

Despite missing out on the win, Azroy emerged as the new leader with 36 points.

Early championship leader Mohd Helmi Azman of Hi Rev Honda SCK Racing crashed during the Round 2 race and failed to pick up any points although he finished the race.

Helmi and Akid are now tied in second overall with 25 points.

Meanwhile, Mohd Shafiq Rasol continued the ONEXOX TKKR SAG Team’s dominance in the CP125.

Shafiq logged his second podium of the season when he won in 12’00.737s. However, the team’s podium domination had been broken as Petronas Sprinta Yamaha Maju Motor teammates Mohd Syafiq Rosli and Mohd Aliff Danial Mohd Asri claimed second and third place respectively.

The third round will take place at the Sepang International Circuit South track from Sept 2-3.