Qayyim Razin impressed throughout the weekend, stepping into the spotlight on Saturday as the #19 clinched Race 1 glory at Sepang. It was a photo finish, with Razin narrowly defeating Kotaro Togashi and Qabil Irfan, with the podium trio split by a mere 0.003s following an astonishing Saturday scrap. Razin claimed the maximum points available, building momentum as the Idemitsu Moto4 Asia Cup returned to action for Round 2!

0.001s: Razin victorious following Sepang thriller

Waku Kunitate battled with polesitter Irfan at Turn 1 as the field began to trade blows in the opening lap. Togashi made his presence known too, eventually slotting into second position, ahead of Razin, who made an incredible start from P6. Irfan held steady, leading the field and looking to convert his 0.295s advantage in qualifying. The fastest laps changed hands throughout the opening laps, with Kunitate setting the pace early on before Bintang Pranata clocked a stunning 2:17.202.

Muhammad Naqib’s day came to a disappointing end, retiring to the pits at the end of Lap 5 – scoring zero points from Saturday. Back at the front, slipstream proved to be vital, holding the six-bike lead group together on circuit. Irfan, Togashi, Kunitate, Pranata, Razin and Haruki Matsuyama were in search of one thing – Race 1 victory.

It was a tense fight in the closing laps, leaving the Malaysian fans on their feet after a sensational start to the Asia Cup weekend. Togashi led the field onto the final lap before Irfan attacked, trading blows as the #11 attempted to respond at Turn 9. It was a drag race to the chequered flag, with a photo finish deciding the results. Following a review of the finish, Razin was handed victory, adding to the drama of Saturday.

Razin held onto a 0.001s advantage at the chequered flag, with Togashi pipping Irfan for second position. Pranata missed out on silverware in fourth as Kunitate rounded out the top five on Saturday. Matsuyama took sixth, whilst Hayato Chishiki claimed seventh and Pacharagorn Thonggerdloung grabbed eighth. Judd Plaisted and Muh Badly earned the final spots inside the top 10 – whetting our palates for Sunday morning!

Double delight for Razin in Race 2

Qayyim Razin completed the home double on Sunday, winning his second race of the season and making it 50 points from this weekend. The #19 took victory over Waku Kunitate, who kept the Malaysian honest, finishing just 0.009s behind. Qabil Irfan rounded out the podium, unable to convert pole position into victory this weekend. It was the perfect welcome back to the Moto4 Asia Cup season, with Sepang truly delivering the goods.

Once Race 2 got underway, it was an excellent start for Kotaro Togashi, leading the field into Turn 1 on the opening lap. It didn’t take Irfan long to strike, showing his cards early and beginning to trade blows with the #11. Bintang Pranata also got involved throughout the opening stages, igniting an all-mighty Sunday Sepang Showdown. Haruki Matsuyama smashed the fastest lap, setting an incredible 2:17.006s in the opening stages of Race 2.

Muhammad Naqib suffered a crash on Lap 5, bringing an early end to his weekend – making it a double DNF. Meanwhile, Razin pulled off some brave moves, fighting with Togashi for victory in another six-bike clash. The race was then flipped upside down on Lap 9 as Pranata and Togashi collided at Turn 1 – ending any hopes of victory. The lead group was now reduced to just four riders, with Irfan back at the front.

Irfan remained in control of Race 2, looking comfortable in the lead at the start of the final lap. At Turn 1, Razin was incredibly impressive, attacking as he searched for a second win and a perfect weekend on home soil. Irfan briefly responded, leading to another drag race to the finish at Sepang. Razin pipped Kunitate by 0.009s to the delight of the Malaysian fans, adding another important 25-point haul.

Razin’s double victory moves the #19 into P4 in the standings after scoring his first 50 points of the season. Kunitate and Irfan completed the podium spots, whilst Matsuyama was best of the rest in fourth, leaving Chishiki to round out the top five. Judd Plaisted was sixth, beating Resky Yusuf and Pacharagorn Thonggerdloung, whilst Noprutpong Bunprawes and Teerin Fleming rounded out the top 10.

What an incredible way to return to racing! The Idemitsu Moto4 Asia Cup gets ready for the next round of the year as we return to the MotoGP paddock at the Mobility Resort Motegi. With just eight points separating the top three in the standings, everything remains to play for – see you there!