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Fahmi tipped to set Moto3 season alight after setting impressive lap times in Valencia

IT was a cold and freezing day in Valencia but Malaysia’s riding sensation, Muhammad Zulfahmi Khairuddin still managed to warm the hearts of his fans back home with an impressive performance on Day 1 at the Moto3 pre-season tests at the Ricardo Tormo circuit yesterday.

If pre-season tests are an indication, Fahmi, is tipped to set the new Moto3 season alight after placing himself in 8th position, recording his best lap time of 1’43.0 after 33 laps.

The AirAsia-SIC-Ajo battled harsh wintry conditions with temperatures dropping as low as 1.5 degrees celcius, which saw the riders getting on the saddle of their new 250 cc machines in the afternoon.

Even though the weather conditions were not ideal for testing, Fahmi still managed to improve on his lap times compared previous test last week here in Valencia. The 20 year old from Banting clocked 1 minute 44.2s during the first test held on the 30th to 31st January, recording the best time among three of his team mates in Ajo Motorsport, Danny Kent, Arthur Sissis and Niklas Ajo.

The top ten unofficial times saw eight of the top ten riders on KTM machinery, with Sandro Cortese (Red Bull Ajo) the clear leader of the field during the first day of testing with a 1’41.6 on his KTM, nearly a full second ahead of any of his rivals.

Alberto Moncayo (Aspar Team Moto3) and another Aspar Team rider, Hector Faubel, both had reported times of 1’42.5, with Finnish rider Niklas Ajo (TT Motion Events Racing) and Spaniard Luis Salom of the RW Racing GP team completing the top five, all aboard KTM machines.

The two pre-season tests provided Fahmi with the first opportunity to manoeuvre his new four stroke KTM machine after previously being on the saddle with the two stroke Aprilia.

“I am happy with the new bike and I was surprised at how easy it was to familiarize myself with the bike after some small modifications on the setting,” said Fahmi.

Based on the encouraging tests on his new bike, Fahmi is aiming for an ambitious top 10 position by the end of the season.

 “After the tests, I’m confident of ending this season in the top 10. It’s a dream come true for me to finally get my hands on a factory bike.

“I’m really excited for the season to begin and hoping for a good start at my first grand prix in Losail, Qatar,” added Fahmi.

The 18 round MotoGP calendar starts this 20th March at Losail, Qatar with the Malaysian MotoGP scheduled on 23rd October at Sepang Circuit two races before the finale at Valencia, Spain at November.

Moto3 lap times Wednesday (recorded by teams):

1. SANDRO CORTESE, RED BULL KTM AJO 1’41.6 (39 laps)
2. ALBERTO MONCAYO, ASPAR TEAM Moto3 1’42.5 (48 laps)
3. HECTOR FAUBEL, ASPAR TEAM Moto3 1,42,5 (45 laps)
4. NIKLAS AJO, TT MOTION EVENTS RACING 1,42,7 (37 laps)
5. LUIS SALOM, RW RACING GP 1,42,8 (30 laps)
6. DANNY KENT, RED BULL KTM AJO 1,42,8 (43 laps)
7. MIGUEL OLIVEIRA, MONLAU COMPETICION 1’42.9 (35 laps)
8. ZULFAHMI KHAIRUDDIN , AIRASIA - SIC - AJO 1’43.0 (33 laps)
9. EFREN VAZQUEZ, TEAM LAGLISSE 1’44.4 (30 laps)
10. BRAD BINDER, RW RACING GP 1,44,9 (42 laps