Khairul Bags A Double Podium At Barcelona Moto3 Race 1 and Race 2

Khairul Idham Pawi 98 during the Moto3 race at Catalunya

Khairul Idham Pawi put on his best weekend since stepping up to the Moto3 Junior World Championship as the Honda Team Asia rider bagged a pair of podium in the third leg of the FIM CEV Repsol at the Catalunya Circuit on Sunday.

Starting from front row, the Asia Dream Cup graduate got away well in both Race 1 and Race 2 to battle it out at the front of the field. He completed Race 1 in 30’03.480s in a grueling wheel-to-wheel battle with Spaniard, Aron Canet who took the chequered flag in 30’03.397s while Italian, Nicola Bulega completed the podium steps in 30’.05.162s. Khairul Idham finished second in Race 1 of the Moto3 class at Catalunya

Khairul was hoping Race 2 would finally see him secure a victory in the closely fought Moto3 series but a waning bike in the closing stages of the 16-lap race forced him to settle for third with 30’08.601s, behind Joan Mir and Aron Canet who timed 30’07.546s and 30’07.618s respectively.

Although slightly disappointed, the 16-year old was still pleased with his performance that saw him increase his point haul in the overall standings to 63 points, 23 points adrift Aron Canet.

“I’m very happy with the race this weekend and many thanks to the team and engineers who have worked extremely hard to set up of the bike. I had a good start in Race 1 and was able to stick with Canet throughout the race but I made an error in the dying moments and finished second.

“Race 2 was a bit more unfortunate as I got caught up in traffic and had to push really hard to chase the leaders. But once I caught up to them, my tyres had already worn out, making it really hard to control the bike. Rather than take risks, I played it safe and maintained my position to finish third.”

Round 4 of the Moto3 Junior World Championship will take place in Motorland Aragon (Spain), July 5.

Results

Race 1

1.Aron Canet (ESP) 30’03.397s

2.Khairul Idham Pawi (MAS) 30’03.480s

3.Nicola Bulega (ITA) 30’05.162s

4.Albert Arenas (ESP) 30’05.391s

5.Lorenzo Dalla Porta (ITA) 30’05.454s

Race 2

1.Joan Mir (ESP) 30’07.546s

2.Aron Canet (ESP) 30’07.618s

3.Khairul Idham Pawi (MAS) 30’08.601s