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hafizh “pescao 55” syahrin

Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah is determined to shine at the first round of the Asian Road Racing Championship (ARRC) in Buriram, Thailand in the middle of this month.

The 29-year-old rider, who is also known by the nickname El Pescao, will ride the Ducati Panigale V4 R for the Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) Racing Team.

He has been practicing with the bike at the Sepang International Circuit recently in preparation for the race at the Chang International Circuit, Thailand.

“Honestly I have never ridden a V4 R throughout my career in racing but the electronic system found on the motorcycle and what the chief mechanic, Loris Caroli told me, the advantage of the motorcycle lies in the braking system.

“I can really feel the difference, especially the brake system which is more powerful compared to other motorcycles I’ve ridden in addition to the good suspension system when taking turns and stability from the acceleration aspect, especially on the straights.

“I can say that this V4R motorcycle is ‘friendly’ to the rider and I adapted quickly, but I need more training to learn more about the electronic system for faster riding,” said Hafizh.

He also described the biggest competitor is Markus Reiterberger who is the defending champion of the ASB1000 class in the championship. Hafizh also said that he does not underestimate the abilities of fellow Malaysian riders, Zaqhwan Zaidi and Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman.

  • KTM organized a Meet the Fans session at the Sepang International Circuit.

  • There was also a special press conference.

  • Hafizh’s Tech 3 team has switched to KTM for the 2019 MotoGP season.

It was a shock when Tech 3 announced their move to the KTM after being associated with Yamaha for 20 years. The announced was made almost immediately after the signing Malaysia rider Hafizh Syahrin to the team when it was called Monster Energy Tech 3 Yamaha.

But Hafizh’s determination shone through in his rookie season when he very nearly captured the Rookie of the Year crown, instead of Franco Morbidelli.

For the 2019 season, the now Red Bull Tech 3 KTM team retains Hafizh’s services. He is set to partner Miguel Oliviera who stepped up from KTM’s Moto2 team.

Anyway, KTM Malaysia, the KTM regional office, dignitaries and Tech 3 teams members held a special conference for the Malaysian media featuring Hafizh Syahrin on the eve of the shakedown run which begins from 1st through 3rd February 2019.

KTM motorcycle owners also supported the event, and were rewarded with Hafizh Syahrin and Pol Espargaro’s autographs.

The Q&A session was held between Hafizh Syahrin and the emcee.

It was apparent that Hafizh is a competitive person. When asked why he started racing, he replied succinctly, “Because I like to race. I’m determined to procure what I want so racing fits into my character.”

There were questions into his preferences, including his race number 55. “Personally, race numbers should mean something. My race number is actually my birthday – 5th May 1994.”

On his nickname El Pescao, “I was in the Spanish CEV series in 2012. I was very new and alien to what needs to be done. My first race was wet, and my crew was doing the best to replace the tyres. I started from the pits in 24th position but charged up the field to finish 5th. The crew had trouble calling my name one of them decided to call me El Pescao, which means fish in Spanish.”

“I felt that El Pescao looked good when designed as graphics, so I decided to stick with that nickname.”

However, Hafizh is associated with another nickname recently called, “#BO55KU.” “It started in Sabah. I was training with the National Cycling Team and they kept using the term ‘Bossku’,” elaborated Hafizh. “It can mean ‘Bro’ and also ‘Boss’. I started using it a year ago and it’s now viral.”

Back to business, Hafizh was queried on how he felt about his 2018 season. “I didn’t expect to be in MotoGP in 2018. I’d like to say thank you to Dato’ Razlan (Razali, CEO of Sepang International Circuit) and also Hervé(Poncharal, Principal of Tech 3 Racing) for making this happen.”

Syahrin, Jerez MotoGP test, 2018

Of course, the question we expected was asked, “What is the difference between the KTM RC16 and Yamaha YZR-M1 last year?”

Hafizh: “The KTM RC16 really looks good (he’s probably alluding to ‘if it looks good, it goes good).” He added, “The Yamaha felt soft when accelerating off corners but the RC16, being a V-Four has more torque at the bottom (of the RPM range). It feels more aggressive.”

“I did enjoy myself on the bike (during the Valencia and Jerez post-season tests) but I need more time to fully learn it.”

Syahrin, Jerez MotoGP test, 2018

“It’s not easy for me and the team as they have been with Yamaha for more than 20 years. The bike itself is new, the chassis, suspension (WP instead of Öhlins). However, I’m happy to be with this team because they provide me with many things to understand the bike. The crew went to the KTM factory in Austria during the 2-month break to improve the bike.”

“I got some feedback from the team and can’t wait to try the bike beginning tomorrow, for 6 days (including the first pre-season test). 6 days may seem a lot but it allows use to work more on the bike.”

Syahrin, Jerez MotoGP test, 2018

The question on everyone’s minds, Malaysian KTM fans in particular is whether there will be a “Hafizh Syahrin” replica. KTM Malaysia will issue a special liveried RC 390 which mimics the Winter Test bike. It will be announced later in the year and will wear Hafizh Syahrin’s colours.

“We have new colour that’s very nice. I think it’s different from everyone else’s. I hope you guys can wait until 12thFebruary as we are launching the new MotoGP bikes in Austria.”

“Lastly, I would like to thank everyone who has supported me, including my fans. For sure I will do my best in 2019. I made some rookie mistakes last year which cost me some good positions. I’ve learned from my mistakes and hope not to repeat them.”

PICTURE GALLERY

  • Penunggang MotoGP negara, Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah telah dikurniakan dengan Darjah Kebesaran Bintang Kegemilangan Sukan.
  • Anugerah ini telah dikurniakan oleh DYMM Sultan Shaharafuddin Idris Shah Al-Haj Ibni Almarhum Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Al-Haj, bersempena dengan ulang tahun ke-73 Hari Keputeraan Sultan Selangor.
  • Hafizh Syahrin mencipta sejarah sebagai penunggang kelas premier MotoGP pertama negara.

(more…)

  • Malaysian MotoGP rider Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah was conferred the Excellence in Sports Award.

  • The award was presented by the DYMM Sultan of Selangor on the occasion of His Excellency’s birthday.

  • Hafizh Syahrin is the country’s first full-time MotoGP rider.

Malaysian MotoGP rider Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah has been conferred the Anugerah Darjah Kebesaran Bintang Kegemilangan Sukan (Excellence in Sports Award) today. However, the award does not carry the title of “Dato’.”

The award was presented by His Excellency DYMM Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Al-Haj Ibni Almarhum Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Al-Haj today as part of His birthday celebrations.

Hafizh Syahrin distinguished himself as the country’s first full-time MotoGP rider when he was picked to join the Monster Tech3 Yamaha MotoGP team this year. He partnered two-time Moto2 Champion, Johann Zarco.

The rider will move onto a factory KTM RC16 works MotoGP bike next year following Tech3’s move to the new camp. Partnering Hafizh is Moto2 frontrunner Miguel Oliveira.

Hafizh began racing on pocket bikes. His exploits earned him the title “King of Pocket Bikes.” He moved on to Cub Prix racing before moving to Spain for the CEV series. It was there that he picked up the “El Pescao” nickname. “Pescao” means “fish” in Spanish as the rider had always excelled during wet races.

  • Sky Sport telah menyiarkan berita bahawa Hafizh Syahrin akan menyertai kelas MotoGP.
  • Dia akan menggantikan Jonas Folger bagi pasukan Monster Yamaha Tech 3.
  • Sepang Racing Team sudah pun menandatangani Zulfahmi Khairuddin bagi menggantikan tempat Hafizh dalam Moto2.

(more…)

  • Sky Sports broke the news of Hafizh Syahrin stepping up to MotoGP.

  • He will replace Jonas Folger in the Monster Yamaha Tech3.

  • Sepang Racing Team signs on Zulfahmi Kharuddin in place of Hafizh for Moto2.

In what seems like the convulated plot of twist of a Hollywood movie ã la Memento, Hafizh “Pescao” Syahrin goes into MotoGP for 2018.

Plot Twist #1

In an earlier news we reported that SIC Racing Team will run a Moto2 team with Hafizh Syahrin as the contracted rider, after the affable rider was unceremoniously dropped first by Petronas Raceline and then Petronas Sprinta.

Petronas will NOT sponsor Hafizh Syahrin for Moto2 2018

That had almost ruled Hafizh out of the 2018 Moto2 Championship, until SIC’s Chief Executive Officer, YBhg Dato’ Ahmad Razlan Ahmad Razali threw in a lifeline by providing Hafizh a seat on the newly formed SIC Racing Team Moto2 bike.

Plot Twist #2

Monster Yamaha Tech 3 rider, Jonas Folger was diagnosed with a rare genetic disease called Gilbert’s syndrome, and had to be ruled out from this year’s MotoGP championship, which left the team boss, Herve Poncharal scrambling to locate a replacement.

Jonas Folger

Yonny Hernandez who was axed by the now Alma Pramac Ducati for 2018 got the tap and tested out the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 bike during the 2018 Sepang Official MotoGP Test just a few days ago.

Yonny Hernandez. Picture from MotoGP.com

That seemed like somewhat of a contradiction to what Poncharal said about being not keen to offer the seat to already contracted riders, after all, and Hernandez had already inked a deal with Pedercini Kawasaki to compete in the World Superbike Championship.

Consequently, the rumours circulated incessantly in the paddock that Monster Yamaha Tech 3 is still on the lookout for a rider during then entire duration of the Winter Test at SIC, and Hafizh’s name was mentioned.

MOTOGP: Hafizh Syahrin to ride for Monster Yamaha Tech 3?

In fact, Poncharal was sitting just a metre away from us in the Media Centre and had mentioned to his crew about his concerns regarding Hernandez. (He was speaking in French but with Hernandez’s name being mentioned amongst sighs kinda paints the picture.)

But, but, but, Hafizh Syahrin is already signed to SIC Racing Team, right? RIGHT?

Plot Twist #3

So ok, Hafizh Syahrin already has a confirmed seat in Moto2 this year.

Think again! Sky Sports MotoGP broke the news of Hafizh being signed on by Monster Yamaha Tech 3 and the internet went bananas.

SIC then announced a couple of hours ago that another Malaysian GP legend, Zulfahmi Khairuddin will ride for the team. He is already slated to start the Moto2 pre-season testing at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia, Spain beginning 6th February.


Zullfahmi had raced in the 125cc GP from 2009 to 2011, and in Moto3 afterwards from 2012 to 2015, before moving to the Supersports World Championships for 2016 and 2017, riding a Kawasaki ZX-6R. His new team feels that he has the experience on 600cc racing machinery.

While SIC Racing Team didn’t exactly shed light about Hafizh Syahrin’s future, YBhg. Dato’ Ahmad Razlan had said before that he hopes Hafizh will eventually make the jump to the premiere class.

There’s no official word from Hafizh, either. Will there be a Plot Twist #4?

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