Zulfahmi impresses in 125cc qualifying

12 April 2010

PETALING JAYA: Malaysian rookie Mohd Zulfahmi Khairuddin put himself in a good position for a point-scoring finish after an impressive qualifying performance in the 125cc class of the season-opening world motorcycle championships at the Losail Circuit in Doha on Saturday.

The 18-year-old, riding for the Air Asia-Sepang International Circuit, posted a time of 2:10.253 for 17th fastest on a grid in a field of 27 riders.

Norwegian team-mate Sturla Fagerhaug was just ahead with the 16th fastest time of 2:10.10.

Zulfahmi showed consistent improvement after the benefit of two practice sessions.

Check us out: Air Asia-Sepang International Circuit riders Mohd Zulfahmi Khairuddin (right) and his Norwegian team-mate Sturla Fagerhaug posing before the start of the MotoGP qualifying practice at the Losail Circuit in Qatar on Saturday.

Zulfahmi was 23rd fastest with a time of 2:13:868 in the first practice session on Friday. He shaved a second more in posting 2:12.117 to go 17th quickest in the second practice session the following day.

Spaniard Marc Marquez set the fastest time in 125cc qualifying to secure pole position for Red Bull Ajo Motorsport in 2:06.651.

Former Malaysian 250cc world championship rider Shahrol Yuzy, who coached the Banting-born Zulfahmi when he rode under a wildcard at the Malaysian Motorcycle GP last year, said that he was impressed by his protege’s form.

“It was his riding experience on the desert track and under night conditions too. He did a very good qualifying session for a rider starting out his first full season. He absorbed all the information and pushed 100% on track,” said Shahrol, who is in Doha.

By Lim Teik Huat

The Star