On Thursday, Malaysia finally crowned its first world motorcycle champion in Qabil after a stunning clean sweep in the FIM MiniGP World Series Finals in Valencia, Spain.
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia have finally crowned its first world motorcycle champion in 11-year-old Qabil Irfan.
The Terengganu-born Qabil did the nation proud after a stunning clean sweep in the FIM MiniGP World Series Finals in Valencia on Thursday.
Qabil claimed victory in Race 1, Race 2 and the Super Final race to collect a perfect score of 100 points and emerge the overall champion of the series, which brings together the best MiniGP riders from around the world.
Qabil, who qualified on pole, won Race 1 in 10:24.656s, edging Spaniard Enzo Zaragoza (+0.110s) to the win. Japan's Kotaro Togashi (+2.3265s) came in a distant third.
Race 2 saw Qabil taking the flag in 10:26.086s, this time edging Togashi (+0.196s) to the win. Britain's Ethan Sparks (+0.472s) completed the podium.
The super final race, which offered double points, saw Qabil claiming a comfortable win in 14:08.764s. Togashi (+1.293s) and Zaragoza (+1.525s) came in second and third.
The first and second race were 14 laps long while the super final race was a 19 lap affair.
Qabil, all wrapped up in the Jalur Gemilang, was all smiles after the last race.
"I am grateful to become the champion at the world finals. I need time to get used to the track in the practice sessions but I went all out in qualifying to get the pole. I did not waste that opportunity once I grabbed the pole start.
"I have to thank everyone who has supported me, especially my parents and my team ZK Racing," said Qabil.
Togashi (76 points) and Zaragoza (65 points) settled for second and third in the overall standings while Airel Marzuki, the other Malaysian in the 160cc class, placed 14th on 11 points.
MiniGP is one of the feeder series with the objective to groom talent for the MotoGP world championships.
