19-year-old Malaysian rider Mohd Zulfahmi Khairuddin chalked a new career high with a stunning 10th place finish in the 125cc class of the Spanish Motorcycle Grand Prix in Jerez yesterday.
Zulfahmi, riding for AirAsia-Sepang International Circuit-Ajo Racing team, had given little indication of his ability to place himself inside the top 10 after qualifying 18th on Saturday.
But he had the best of start on his Derbi bike and was immediately inside the top 15 rung before slowly making his way up.
Zulfahmi rode consistently to complete the 23-lap race held under wet conditions, just 1:00.399secs behind race winner Nicolas Terol of Bankia Aspar Team, to earn his best ever finish since he made his full season debut in the world championships last year.
Terol earned cheers for his home country by bagging his second successive win after coming out tops in the season-opener in Doha two weeks ago.
The top 10 finish is not just the best ever finish by a Malaysian rider in the 125cc class of the world motorcycle championships but enough for Zulfahmi to assure he will fare better in overall points finishes compared to his debut season. Zulfahmi earned six points for the 10th place finish yesterday.
He managed to collect four points through four 15th placings in Catalunya, German, Czech Republic and Portuguese GPs last year.
Razlan said, “we are extranet ecstatic with Fahmi’s performance and results, Jerez a traditonal home ground for fast riders from Spain, Italy and the rest of Europe. Added with difficult conditions, Fahmi shown tremendous courage and determination”.
”We are extremely proud of him and 6 points in the bag. Fahmi will return next Tuesday for a 4 weeks break and will be one of our Aki Ajo and wife who will make a special visit during the Malaysian F1 Grand Prix,” he added.
words & pix: SIC
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