Hafizh Syahrin Archives

Johann Zarco: Exhausted from Fighting the Bike in Argentina MotoGP

Johann Zarco said he was exhausted from fighting his bike in the Argentina MotoGP.
He couldn’t ride the KTM RC16 the way he wanted to.
He finished 15^thand Hafizh Syahrin in 16^thin the race.

While we published Hafizh Syahrin’s struggle with the KTM RC16 MotoGP bike, we wondered what his ex-Yamaha Tech 3 teammate Johann Zarco went through.

The two-time Moto2 champion finished 15^thin Qatar and obtained the same result in Argentina. Even then, his final placing at Argentina was after Morbidelli took himself and Vinalez out of the race. By the end, Hafizh Syahrin was able to latch on Zarco’s back wheel and finished one spot behind.

On the other hand, long-time KTM MotoGP rider Pol Espargaro and new Red Bull KTM Tech 3 signing Miguel Oliveira took off to fight it out for 10^thand 11^th.

Zarco had been quite prior to this, but he recently shared his thoughts in an interview with Motorsports.com.

First, he was held up by Jorge Lorenzo who mistakenly his the pitlane speed limiter on the Repsol Honda. Zarco was in 21^stplace into Turn One. But his race also deteriorated as it went on.

“I almost struggle all the way, from the start. With Lorenzo I don’t know what happened and I had to brake a lot behind him, I was second to last,” he recalled.

“Beginning of the race, the first eight laps I was feeling quite good but not able to overtake my opponents because I cannot control well the bike at the moment.”

“Then more and more I was going in the race it was coming harder and harder to ride the bike. I spent a lot of energy.”

“Difficult to leave this kind of races when everything I would like to do, I can’t. This makes me fight with the bike, and then I am exhausted.”

At that point, the bike started to slide, difficult to brake and turn into corners. Zarco rides the traditional long-arc style, in other words, early braking to carry more mid-corner speed and smooth transitions. Hafizh Syahrin rides in this method, as well.

Is this the key to why both these ex-Yamaha riders are suffering?

However, he is adamant in keeping his riding style, as he believes that it allows KTM to improve. Staying on one style means you don’t have too many variables to work with, making it easier to concentrate on which areas that need improving.

The Austrian factory would surely (and sorely) be missing inputs from test riders Dani Pedrosa and Mika Kalio by now. Both are unfortunately recuperating from their injuries.

Ketua Pasukan Red Bull KTM Tech 3, Herve Poncharal, “Berang” Dengan Hafizh Syahrin

Ketua pasukan Red Bull KTM Tech 3, Herve Poncharal mengakui yang dia berasa “berang” dengan Hafizh Syahrin.
Dia telah berkongsi perasaannya itu sewaktu pusingan MotoGP Argentina.
Hafizh Syahrin mensasarkan untuk mendapat keputusan yang lebih baik dari teman sepasukan baharunya, Miguel Oliveira pada tahun ini.

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Red Bull KTM Tech 3 Boss Herve Poncharal “Very Angry” at Hafizh Syahrin

Red Bull KTM Tech 3 boss Herve Poncharal admitted that he was “very angry” at Hafizh Syahrin.
The outspoken Frenchman shared his thoughts during the Argentina MotoGP.
Hafizh Syahrin’s target is to go better than his new teammate Miguel Oliveira this year.

Oh dear, this doesn’t sound good at all. Red Bull KTM Tech 3 boss Herve Poncharal admitted that he was “very angry” at Hafizh Syahrin.

The outspoken Frenchman spilled his guts when interviewed by MotoGP trackside announcer Simon Crafar during the weekend’s Argentina MotoGP.

“Hafizh, this is something very strange, but we’ve been through that before,” said Poncharal, alluding to his previous “motivational” talk with the rider at Misano last year.

“He finished ninth last year for his second race in MotoGP, we know the guy has potential.”

“And yesterday FP1 was a disaster. He was looking almost like you (Simon Crafar) or me riding the bike around the track. I was really angry.”

“But after three laps in FP2, he improved by a full two seconds, which is a lot. Changed nothing on the bike, but clearly there is something is his head. At the moment he doesn’t dare to push, for reasons I can’t explain, he can’t explain.”

However, Poncharal gave assurance that the KTM Tech 3 team is fully behind Hafizh in his quest.

Hafizh Syahrin’s Thoughts

Motosport.com asked Hafizh for his opinion regarding Poncharal’s strong words. “Yesterday morning was (a) similar feeling like Qatar and also in the test. I didn’t find any good grip with the bike.”

“And after that we make a small change (which Poncharal said they didn’t change anything on the bike), and really surprised for me, and I feel a different bike, and we improve.”

Hafizh admits that that he’s still adapting to the bike. “Now I start to understand this bike more or less 90 percent. I just need a little bit more laps.”

Our Take

Before you jump on Poncharal, consider this: MotoGP is business. It’s not some fancy hobby of the rich who employ riders to blast around tracks worldwide. MotoGP is not horse racing and the riders are not horse jockeys.

Now, sponsors have the very right of seeing their logos on the bikes they sponsored and it’s not exactly cheap in MotoGP. These sponsors may say, “We use the top level of motorsports i.e. MotoGP to develop our technologies,” but it’s about brand visibility. Sponsors want to be associated with winners. Would you sponsor a fly-by-night team? You wouldn’t.

Unfortunately, only the front runners and crashers who get the most visibility during a race weekend. The cameras will focus on the front runners 99% of the time; the footage beamed into millions of homes around the world.

In other words, teams and riders at the back of the field are “invisible,” unless they crash. Even then, the front runners who crashed receive more air time. Sponsors will have a hard time justifying the costs to their stakeholders and start pressuring the manufacturer. The manufacturer then pushes the team boss, and the team boss goes down to the pits and start kicking butts.

Sepang International Circuit CEO and Petronas Yamaha Sepang Racing Team principal, Dato’ Ahmad Razlan Ahmad Razali was asked about Hafizh Syahrin’s performance during a recent interview. He said that he had a talk with Hafizh at Qatar. “I gave him a stern advice: Do not look at the Petronas Yamaha Sepang Racing Team as a backup, since we’ve signed Morbidelli and Quartararo for two years,” said Dato’ Razlan.

He also added that getting into MotoGP could be relatively easy, but staying in MotoGP is entirely a different matter. “Tech 3’s target for Hafizh in 2019 was to go faster than his new teammate Miguel Oliveira.”

“I also told him to stop comparing the KTM with the Yamaha he rode last year.”

As with Poncharal, SIC supports Hafizh’s venture. “We’ve gone the whole length of trying to help Hafizh, including signing on a sport psychologist for him.

BikesRepublic.com hopes Hafizh Syahrin will rise to the challenge quickly. We understand that being a MotoGP rider isn’t easy but it’s a world based on results.

*NOTE:

Many top riders also suffered with grip at the Termas Rio Hondo circuit in Argentina. Apart from MotoGP, the circuit is hardly used throughout each year. Consequently, the surface lacks grip. Maverick Vinalez qualified second but lost 1.5 seconds per lap to winner Marc Marquez. Alex Rins could qualify no better than 16^thon his Suzuki and had to be satisfied with finishing 5^th. Johann Zarco on the factory KTM also suffered, finishing in 15^th, one place ahead of Hafizh Syahrin. Andrea Dovizioso said he was disappointed in finishing 3^rdafter nursing his worn tyres home.

Hafizh Syahrin Gondol Anugerah Petronas International Rider of the Year

Hafizh Syahrin telah memenangi anugerah “Petronas International Rider of the Year” bagi tahun 2018.
Pengumuman tersebut telah dibuat sewaktu majlis anugerah “Petronas SIC Motorsport Association of Malaysia (MAM) 2018” pada hari Selasa, 12 Februari 2019.
Perdana Menteri, Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad juga telah dianugerahkan dengan “Lifetime Achievement Award”.

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Hafizh Syahrin Takes Petronas International Rider of the Year Award

Hafizh Syahrin wins Petronas International Rider of the Year Award for 2018.
He was announced the winner at the Petronas SIC Motorsports Association of Malaysia (MAM) Award 2018 on Tuesday evening (12^thFebruary).
Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahatir Mohamad was conferred the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Malaysia’s MotoGP rider Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah won the Petronas International Rider of the Year Award at the Petronas SIC Motorsports Association of Malaysia (MAM) Award 2018 on Tuesday evening (12^thFebruary).

He was also awarded the Malaysia Motorsports People’s Choice Award. The nominees and subsequently the winner of this category was determined by fans through online voting.

Hafizh became Malaysia’s first ever full-time MotoGP rider in 2018 when he was picked by Herve Poncharal to join his Monster Energy Yamaha Tech 3 team. His consistency meant that he led the MotoGP Rookie of the Year chase until a slew of crashes forced him to cede the title to 2017 Moto2 champion and fellow rookie, Franco Morbidelli by just four agonizing points. Hafizh’s best finish was an incredible 9^thin Argentina after starting from the 23^rdspot. But perhaps the most emotional result was in Malaysia where he stormed up from dead last on the grid to finish 10^th.

Other Malaysian motorsports achievers were also awarded at the gala event.

One rider, Danial Syahni Shahril was awared the KBS Motorsports Development Award by the Youth, Sports and Culture Minister YB Syed Saddiq. Danial was close to winning the final Asia Talent Cup race at SIC when a fellow competitor side-checked his bike. The bump caused him to fall into the path of another rider who smashed into his legs. Danial delivered an emotional note, “I’ve been in hospital for the last three months. Tonight, is the first day I am out of the hospital.” There’s perhaps justice for Danial as the offending rider was docked with a penalty and lost the race and ATC title to rival Billy Van Eerde.

On the four-wheeled front, Jazeman Jaafar won the Petronas International Driver of the Year award with fellow drivers Nabil Jeffri and Weiron Tan.

The trio was the first Asian driver team to win the fourth round of the World Endurance Championship at the 6 Hours of Fuji. They earned the entry to the 2018 Malaysia Motorsports Hall of Fame.

A total of 14 competitive awards were presented to teams and individuals over the course of the evening. Additionally, six honorees were inducted into the Hall of Fame including Kuan Huah Chin better known as Bulldog Kuan; go-kart driver Ng Wai Leong; and rally navigator Allen Oh.

Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahatir Mohamad was conferred the Lifetime Achievement Award for his role in bringing Malaysia into a higher level in automotive and motorsports. It was Tun who started the first national car project, Proton and built the Sepang International Circuit.

Roll of Honour

Lifetime Achievement Award: Tun Dr Mahatir Mohamad
Inductees into the Malaysian Motorsports Hall of Fame: Allen Oh, Ng Wai Leong, Jazeman Jaafar, Nabil Jeffri, Weiron Tan, Kuan Huah Chin (Bulldog Kuan)
Petronas International Driver of the Year: Jazeman Jaafar (WEC)
Petronas International Rider of the Year: Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah (MotoGP)
SIC Best National Driver of the Year: Mark Darwin
SIC Best National Rider of the Year: Muhammad Helmi Azman
SIC Best National Team (2 Wheels): SCK Rapido Hi-Rev Honda Racing
SIC Best National Team (4 Wheels): Dream Chaser
Most Inspiring Female Motorsports Athlete: Leona Chin
SIC Best e-Motorsport Athlete: Ady Rahimy & Angeline Lee
Most Improved Driver of the Year: Brendan Paul Anthony
Most Improved Rider of the Year: Danial Syahmi Shahril
KBS Motorsports Development Award: Danial Syahmi Shahril
Malaysia Motorsports People’s Choice Award: Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah
SIC-MAM-SAM Media Award (Best Journalist): Sukhairi Thani – Berita Harian
SIC-MAM-SAM Media Award (Best Photographer): Ridzuan Rizal Ahmad – Utusan Malaysia
SIC-MAM-SAM Media Award (Best Electronic Media): Hasnida Hanim Ahmad Kamil and Aji Saregar – TV3

MotoGP 2019: Pelancaran Pasukan Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Dan Red Bull KTM Tech 3 Racing

KTM telah melancarkan ke semua pasukan Moto3, Moto2, dan MotoGP mereka bagi musim 2019.
Mereka akan tampil dengan dua buah pasukan dalam MotoGP, di mana kedua-dua pasukan ini akan menggunakan jentera yang sama.
Pasukan-pasukan ini adalah Red Bull KTM Factory Racing dan Red Bull KTM Tech 3 Racing.

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MotoGP 2019: Red Bull KTM Factory Racing and Red Bull KTM Tech 3 Racing Launch

KTM has launched all their MotoGP, Moto2 and Moto3 teams for 2019.
There will be two teams in MotoGP, but both are using the same bikes.
They are Red Bull KTM Factory Racing and Red Bull KTM Tech 3 Racing.

KTM launched their MotoGP teams tonight. They are known as the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing and Red Bull KTM Tech 3 Racing teams, respectively.

The “all-in” event also included KTM teams, bikes and riders from Moto2 and Moto3 classes. Additionally, KTM is represented by two teams on factory machinery.

In one corner is the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team, with Pol Espargaro and Johann Zarco as riders. This team’s KTM RC16 uses the traditional Red Bull KTM livery.

In the other corner is the Red Bull KTM Tech 3 Racing team, with our boy Hafizh Syahrin and Miguel Oliveira as riders. Their KTM RC16 are finished in a new orange, blue and silver livery. Hafizh promised during the special press conference and meet the fans session during the Sepang Winter Test, that the new livery will be replicated on a special edition KTM RC390 in Malaysia.

Both teams will contest on the factory KTM RC16, as the manufacturer is eager to collect twice the data in half the time in developing the bike. Although it still needs much development as Zarco said, Europe’s largest motorcycle maker could not shake their excitement.

After all, KTM’s morale and determination took a huge boost when Pol Espargaro put the bike on the podium for the first time last season in Valencia. Meanwhile, the retention of veteran KTM test rider Mika Kallio and signing of Dani Pedrosa as the new test rider will keep the program rolling at a high pace. Unfortunately, Pedrosa broke his collarbone and is out for three more months. However, KTM are allowed concessions for testing and development under MotoGP rules. Making full use of this leeway, KTM brought out several engines with different specs at Sepang.

The new bikes will hit the track from 20^thFebruary. Until then, let’s just enjoy the photos of the RC16 from both camps. All photos are from KTM and published in MotoGP.com.

MotoGP 2019: Jentera KTM RC16 Hafizh Syahrin Secara Lebih Terperinci

Kami telah berpeluang untuk melihat dengan lebih dekat jentera KTM RC16 yang akan dikemudi oleh Hafizh Syahrin untuk MotoGP musim 2019.
Sebahagian besar motosikal tersebut terselindung di sebalik panel badan yang tertutup kemas.
Namun begitu, ada beberapa perincian yang telah berjaya mencuri perhatian kami.

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Hafizh Syahrin sedia menyahut cabaran MotoGP 2019 bersama KTM

Hafizh Syahrin bersama KTM telah bersedia untuk menyahut cabaran MotoGP 2019. Dengan sesi ‘winter test’ yang akan bermula tidak lama lagi, ia merupakan satu langkah bersejarah bukan sahaja untuk pelumba MotoGP pertama dari Malaysia malah untuk KTM juga di dalam musim ketiga mereka berlumba di kelas tertinggi. (more…)

Hafizh Syahrin: Looking Forward to Great Results with KTM

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 1^stthrough 3^rdFebruary 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 – 5^thMay 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 24^thposition but charged up the field to finish 5^th. 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.”

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.”

“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.”

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 12^thFebruary 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

Hafiz Syahrin Dikurniakan Darjah Kebesaran Bintang Kegemilangan Sukan

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.

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Hafizh Syahrin Conferred Excellence in Sports Award

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.

Bikesrepublic

Hafizh Syahrin

Johann Zarco said he was exhausted from fighting his bike in the Argentina MotoGP.

He couldn’t ride the KTM RC16 the way he wanted to.

He finished 15th and Hafizh Syahrin in 16th in the race.

Is this the key to why both these ex-Yamaha riders are suffering?

Red Bull KTM Tech 3 boss Herve Poncharal admitted that he was “very angry” at Hafizh Syahrin.

The outspoken Frenchman shared his thoughts during the Argentina MotoGP.

Hafizh Syahrin’s target is to go better than his new teammate Miguel Oliveira this year.

Hafizh Syahrin’s Thoughts

Our Take

*NOTE:

Hafizh Syahrin wins Petronas International Rider of the Year Award for 2018.

He was announced the winner at the Petronas SIC Motorsports Association of Malaysia (MAM) Award 2018 on Tuesday evening (12thFebruary).

Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahatir Mohamad was conferred the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Roll of Honour

KTM has launched all their MotoGP, Moto2 and Moto3 teams for 2019.

There will be two teams in MotoGP, but both are using the same bikes.

They are Red Bull KTM Factory Racing and Red Bull KTM Tech 3 Racing.

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.

PICTURE GALLERY

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.

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He finished 15^thand Hafizh Syahrin in 16^thin the race.

He was announced the winner at the Petronas SIC Motorsports Association of Malaysia (MAM) Award 2018 on Tuesday evening (12^thFebruary).