WSBK: Malaysian Rider Hafizh Expects To Test New Machine In Spain In January

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 17 (Bernama) -- As he gears up for his debut in the World Superbike Championship (WSBK), former Malaysian Moto2 rider Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah is looking forward to testing out his new machine with the Mie Racing Honda team in Spain in January. Hafizh, who will become the first Malaysian to race in WSBK, said he couldn't wait to try out the awesome machine which he will be using for the 2022 season. “I've never ridden on this machine. Maybe I'll test it at the end of January or early February in Spain,” he told an online news conference Tuesday. However, Hafizh who is now in London on a personal trip, hoped his new team's representative in Malaysia can arrange for him to test the machine here once it arrives in the country. Hafizh said despite his experience in MotoGP races, he would not take the competition lightly in WSBK because it is a tough championship. He hoped that UMW Grantt International, his sponsor in Moto2, would continue to support him although he will be involved in a different championship next year. “The management and I are still discussing the sponsorship for next year. InsyaAllah I hope to continue cooperating with them. Thank you, UMW, for helping me in Moto2 including paying for my training cost and travel,” he added. On his performance in 2021, Hafizh admitted that it was below par with just nine points to finish the season on 28th spot out of 40 riders. He just completed his last Moto2 race with NTS RW Racing GP in the Valencia Grand Prix at the Ricardo Tormo circuit on Sunday. He said luck might not have been on his side as he was mentally and physically up to the challenge and had worked hard for the Moto2 championship. Hafizh's migration to WSBK was announced on Saturday, ending his eight-season journey in MotoGP, including two seasons in the premier class in 2018 and 2019. The 27-year-old Hafizh will ride alongside experienced Argentine racer Leandro Mercado in the WSBK 2022 season. -- BERNAMA