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…)
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.”
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 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.”
Current Moto2 championship contender Miguel Oliveira will be heading up to the premier MotoGP class in 2019. This was confirmed in Jerez last weekend when he signed a deal with the Tech 3 squad. Oliveira will also be the first rider to go through the entire Red Bull KTM system all the way up to MotoGP. (more…)
MotoGP rider Johann Zarco has finally confirmed all the suspicions regarding where his riding career will head next season. It was recently announced that he’ll be joining the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team for 2019 and 2020 and will be riding the KTM RC16 machinery. (more…)
A recent report made by Motorsport.com has stated that current Monster Yamaha Tech 3 rider Johann Zarco is ready to make his move to KTM next season. The French rider has long been associated with the Austrian manufacturer even since his current team confirmed their move to KTM machinery next season. (more…)
It’s official, folks! KTM has announced that they will be working with the Tech 3 squad starting 2019 where the MotoGP grid will see four KTM RC16s running simultaneously. After several impressive results compared to their maiden season in 2016, the Austrian manufacturer is ready to up the ante with a satellite team. (more…)
Kita semakin menghampiri penghujung musim MotoGP 2017, dan pusingan kedua terakhir iaitu Shell Malaysia Motorcycle Grand Prix sudah pasti telah memberikan keseronokan yang tidak terhingga kepada mereka yang menghadirinya. Setelah mendapat status sebagai salah sebuah litar yang paling mencabar dalam kalendar MotoGP, Litar Antarabangsa Sepang sentiasa bersedia untuk memberi cabaran tambahan dengan cuaca yang tidak menentu.
As we head closer to the end of the 2017 MotoGP season, the penultimate round that is the Shell Malaysia Motorcycle Grand Prix is sure to bring in a lot of excitement for all those who attend. Having gained status as one of the most challenging circuits in the calendar, the Sepang International Circuit is always ready to throw one heck of a curve ball with the unpredictable weather.
The race is made even more exciting with the fact that more often than not, a champion emerges in the final flyaway race. Take last year for example when the current Monster Yamaha Tech 3 rider Johann Zarco won his second Moto2 championship before graduating to MotoGP for 2017.
To read the story, CLICK HERE.
From the moment you arrive at the track’s parking area, the activities have already begun. Shell Advance has amazingly organised a special ride-through service for motorcycle owners. Those who came with their beloved bikes can roll in, buy some Shell Advance engine oils and get a free service (plus oil filter), refreshments, dedicated parking space and even Hillstand tickets! Not a bad way to start the day off, right?
https://www.facebook.com/BikesRepublic/videos/1351494048214910/
To make things more exciting, the Mall Area is filled up to the brim with so many booths and gigantic marquees that you’ll be spoilt for choice in terms of what activities you want to participate, freebies to take home and the ever popular meet and greet sessions with your beloved riders.
During the special weekends, all sorts of offers are up for grabs. One of the best examples would be the HJC Helmet Malaysia booth where you can get premium helmets at slashed prices right before your very eyes.
Weather too hot to handle? There’s another way on how you can enjoy the races without missing any of the action. Head over to the Red Bull marquee where it is without a doubt one of the coolest (literally and figuratively) ways to watch the race in comfort. Get your drinks ready and watch the giant screens set up for you to support your favourite riders!
No motorcycle extravaganza can be complete without some premium bikes being displayed. There are so many motorcycle manufacturers taking part that they themselves are already their own shows! It’s already an experience to visit all the booths before entering the grandstands.
The brands that are taking part in the races proudly displayed their prized and rare bikes which you only get to see on the Internet or TV. Not at the Malaysian MotoGP round 2017, folks. Take KTM for example where the main attraction is a lovely KTM RC16 replica race machine.
Check out the highlights of the KTM Malaysia booth by clicking HERE.
Fancy something a bit more Japanese? Try going to the Boon Siew Honda booth and check out the amazing Honda RC213V being displayed together with their MotoGP replica bike which is placed amongst other race and road machines. So, to take a closer look and of course, lots and lots of photos.
To know more about the Boon Siew Honda MotoGP 2017 booth, CLICK HERE.
If you’re one of the lucky one to get the opportunity to visit any of the paddocks, you’ll get to see up close and personal on how the teams work and get things prepared at the highest level of racing. No one does it better than these folks.
We were fortunate enough to be able to visit the IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia and also Team SUZUKI ECSTAR to witness the behind-the-scenes action and harmony between riders and other team members.
Want to spend some money on special merchandises? The Petronas booth for example took it up another notch with a few great performances from famous artists such as Altimet. Fans were entertained with the best of the best while purchasing top of the line merchandises, getting signatures from our Moto2 star rider Hafizh Syahrin and even a very unique ‘multiple angle’ photo booth.
At the end of the day, it’s all about the races. While Moto3 has already found their champion for 2017 that is Joan Mir of Leopard Racing (CLICK HERE to read the story), the Moto2 and MotoGP crowns are still up for grabs. The battles are now left between Franco Morbidelli EG (0,0 Marc VDS) and Tom Luthi (CarXpert Interwetten) in Moto2 and Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) and Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) in MotoGP.
Will there be a champion at the end of Sunday? Come early because things are about to blow up. Moto3 will start at 12pm followed by Moto2 at 1.20pm and MotoGP at 3pm (local times). Don’t feel too bad if your riders don’t make it to the podium because all the booths prepped at the Mall Area are always ready to cheer you right back up before heading back home.
To know more about what other exciting things that you can do at the Sepang International Circuit during MotoGP, check out our exclusive article on the “11 things to do at the Sepang Circuit during MotoGP”.
And have you heard that Petronas wants to give some lucky people a year’s worth of engine lubricants? You can be one of those lucky people too by taking part in a simple contest. For more information on the contest, you can visit www.mymesra.com.my/pengejarimpian
We all know that all the MotoGP seats for 2018 are fast getting filled in with more riders being announced as of late. The latest would be the controversial signing of Scott Redding to race with the Aprilia Racing Team Gresini outfit in replacement of the outgoing Sam Lowes. (more…)
© Copyright – BikesRepublic.com 2023 Trademarks belong to their respective owners. All rights reserved
