JAPANESE Yasuhiro Kuhara, Azlan Shah and Rizal Jantan spearhead the opening round of the Malaysian Super Series biking competition which is held at the Sepang International Circuit this weekend (April 18-19).

In the Superbike competition, Kuhara leads the class after posting the fastest time in the qualifying session yesterday.

"It has been a great day as everything went smoothly. Of course I happy with the pole position start tomorrow (today) but the team and I will have to work hard to ensure we still are on the pace," said the Japanese.

Kuhara clocked 1:07.588s around the North Track portion of the circuit which Round 1 will be held with Ahmad Zamani Baharuddin recording the second fastest time of 1:07.622s.

Coming in third was Ismael Swajli with at time of 1:10.099s.

In the Supersport category, favourite Azlan Shah grabbed the front row spot for the race as he clocked 1:08.264s, the fastest time in the qualifier.

The result was rather an emotional one as Azlan, as this weekend is incidentally also the Malaysian Cub Prix round.

"For me, moving up to the Supersports category and totally leaving the Cub Prix is an honour, however, there is a race this weekend and I am not even at the pits but am racing here in the MSS so it is a little emotional for me."

"But I am a professional rider and the job comes first. Everything worked well for me and I hope to make this weekend a memorable one with a win," said Azlan.

Meanwhile, Rizal Jantan made a lasting impression in the paddocks with topping the time sheets in the Production Bike and Bikerz Mag 150 Cup.

"I could be on the podium twice tomorrow (today) but I have to stay cool and not get greedy if I want a successful race day," said Rizal who clocked 1:19.272s in the Production Bike class and 1:17.391s in the Bikerz Mag 150 Cup.

The Aprilia RS125 Challenge Cup saw Junior GP rider Zaqhwan Zaidi fastest in the practice and qualifiers.

His fellow Junior GP partner Amirul Hafiq Mohd Azmi was second fastest while Gianluca Lozzi will be starting from third position.

Qualifying (Top 10 times)

Bikes

Superbikes/Superstock

1. Yasuhiro Kuhara - 1:07.588s;
2. Ahmad Zamani Baharuddin - 1:07.622s;
3. Ismael Swajli - 1:10.099s;
4. Paul Erik Jensen - 1:10.964s;
5. Lee Ching Hooi - 1:11.114s;
6. Kida Yasuji - 1:11.347s;
7. Hiroshi Yamashita - 1:11.683s;
8. Remon Azreen Abdul Karim - 1:11.703s;
9. Sebastian Mehler - 1:11.819s;
10. Omar Ali Abdullah - 1:11.946s.

Supersport

1. Azlan Shah - 1:08.264s;
2. Nils Uschida Zakariassen - 1:09.903s;
3. Shaiful Bahari - 1:11.052s;
4. Muhammad Suhaimi - 1:11.604s;
5. Mohd Erwan - 1:11.750s;
6. Safarin Hasibon - 1:11.791s;
7. Mohd Farhan Malik - 1:11.842s;
8. Oliver Castillo Jr - 1:11.911s;
9. Anvalagan Rethinam - 1:12.032s;
10. Khairun Nizam - 1:12.171s.

Production Bikes

1. Mohd Rizal Jantan - 1:19.272s;
2. Ahmad Nashrul Baharuddin - 1:19.787s;
3. R.Karigalan - 1:21.652s;
4. Mohd Elyas Wong Abdullah - 1:22.733s;
5. Mohd Kanafi Kamaruddin - 1:23.172s;
6. Subhan Human - 1;23.351s;
7. Ahmad Nizam Mohd Hashim - 1:24.661s;
8. Mohd Radzi Saidin - 1:24.930s;
9. Hadii anak Jembik - 1;24.932s;
10. Azman Kusban - 1:25.122s.

Bikerz Mag 150 Cup

1. Mohd Rizal Jantan - 1:17.391s;
2. Syafiq Omar - 1:19.282s;
3. Fairuz Abd Murad - 1:20.943s;
4. Shamsul Fariz Mohd Yunus - 1:20.943s;
5. Ahmad Nashrul Baharuddin - 1:21.712s;
6. Aqmal Faiz Hamdi - 1:21.998s;
7. Ari Pekka Nassi - 1:23.237s;
8. Mohd Fauzi Roslee - 1:24.510s;
9. Syahareen Abd Rahim - 1:26.634s;
10. Mohd Kearizat Jani - 1:27.295s.

Aprilia RS125 Challenge Cup

1. Mohd Zaqhwan Zaidi - 1:23.158s;
2. Amirul Hafiq Mohd Azmi - 1:24.070s;
3. Gianluca Lozzi - 1:25.792s;
4. Zac Levy - 1:29.025s;
5. Masruran Mohd Abidin - 1:30.955s;
6. Shamsulnizam Mohd Saleh - 1:33.538s;
7. Ahmad Razif Sulaiman - 1:34.034s;
8. Izwan Zamri Mohamad - 1:39.126s;
9. Sharul Affendy Abd Aziz - 1:39.490s.

• Cars
• Bikes