NAKARIN’S UNBEATABLE BENCHMARK
Round 4 of LFN FIM Asia Road Racing Championship 2026 at Mandalika International Circuit in Indonesia brought top-tier action to the premier ASB1000 category. Throughout Friday’s three practice sessions, the narrative constantly shifted as riders adjusted to the demanding circuit. The day concluded with an incredibly close finish in the Combined Practice standings, where Nakarin Atiratphuvapat of HONDA RACING THAILAND delivered a late push to secure the fastest overall time, narrowly edging out his rivals in a top three separated by less than five-hundredths of a second.
The morning began with a strong statement from the experienced Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah of JDT RACING TEAM. Hafizh immediately found his rhythm on the track during Practice 1. He posted a benchmark time of 1’35.910s, making him the only rider to break into the 1’35s in the opening session. Keito Abe of SDG HARC-PRO. HONDA PHILIPPINES settled into a comfortable second place, while the IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA duo of Muhammad Zaqhwan Zaidi and Azroy Hakeem Anuar finished third and fourth, respectively, finding their initial footing.
As the sun heated the track for Practice 2, the grip levels shifted, and teams focused on race pace and tire management rather than all-out single-lap speed. Syahrin maintained his position at the top of the session leaderboard with a steady 1’36.083s. However, the session revealed a new challenger as Nakarin began to find extra pace. The Thai rider logged a 1’36.191s to move into second place, signaling that he had found a promising setup direction. Keito remained a consistent threat, clocking the third-fastest time to ensure he stayed right in the mix.
During Practice 3, the track cooled down slightly in the late afternoon, and the riders pushed their machines for ultimate lap times. Nakarin executed a precise flying lap to record a 1’35.751s, vaulting him to the top of the combined standings. Keito also found significant improvement, crossing the line with a 1’35.788s to claim second overall. Despite lowering his own best time to a 1’35.799s, early leader Hafizh was bumped to third.
The margins at the top were exceptionally thin, with just 0.048s separating the top three riders. Further down the order, Rocco Sessler of FORTY FORGED ASIA RACING TEAM found a sudden burst of speed in the final session, jumping up to fourth overall with a 1’36.342s. Zaqhwan’s consistent improvement throughout the day earned him the final spot in the combined top five.
Nakarin said, “I am incredibly happy with today’s result. Throughout the practice sessions, my main priority was simply to focus on my own riding and continuously refine the bike’s setup. I honestly wasn’t looking at the timing screens or thinking about my position. My entire goal was just to log laps and steadily build my confidence on this circuit.”
“Coming into this weekend, we faced a new challenge because the rear tire is a completely new model this year. Compared to last season, both the front and rear tires behave quite differently here at Mandalika, which initially made it very difficult to understand where the absolute limit was. To figure it out, we tried so many different configurations, constantly tweaking the setup and making adjustment after adjustment. On my end, I also had to adapt my riding style significantly. I was experimenting every time I went out on track by trying a higher gear in certain corners, braking much harder, and focusing on carrying more mid-corner speed.”
“Eventually, all that work paid off, and we found a fantastic feeling with the bike. What gives me the most confidence is that I managed to set my fastest time on a tire that already had 20 laps of wear on it. By the end of the day, we had collected all the right data, put the puzzle pieces together, and I was finally able to go on the attack. We have a solid baseline now, but we will keep pushing and try to improve even further tomorrow.”
TOP 5 FASTEST – COMBINED PRACTICE
1. NAKARIN ATIRATPHUVAPAT – HONDA RACING THAILAND (1’35.751s)
2. KEITO ABE – SDG HARC-PRO. HONDA PHILIPPINES (1’35.788s)
3. HAFIZH SYAHRIN ABDULLAH – JDT RACING TEAM (1’35.799s)
4. ROCCO SESSLER – FORTY FORGED ASIA RACING TEAM (1’36.342s)
5. MUHAMMAD ZAQHWAN ZAIDI – IDEMITSU HONDA RACING MALAYSIA (1’36.360s)
ANUPAB STOLE DAY ONE HONOR
The LFN FIM Asia Road Racing Championship 2026 continued its action at the Mandalika International Circuit in Indonesia for Round 4, bringing the SS600 category action back to the track on Friday. The three practice sessions saw the leading competitors continuously traded the top spot on the timing sheets. By the end of the day, the Combined Practice standings revealed that Anupab Sarmoon of YAMAHA THAILAND RACING TEAM secured the fastest overall time, besting home favourite Wahyu Nugroho by a 0.005s gap.
The day began with local riders utilizing their deep knowledge of the circuit to set an early and definitive benchmark. Practice 1 saw Wahyu Nugroho from YAMAHA RACING INDONESIA navigating the flowing layout smoothly to log a session-best time of 1’37.644s. Fellow Indonesian HerjunAtna Firdaus of ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM, closely followed in second with a 1’37.934s. Malaysia’s Kasma Daniel Kasmayudin of HONG LEONG YAMAHA RACING claimed third, while Anupab and Thanat Laoongplio of HONDA RACING THAILAND used the morning session strictly to dial in their initial setups, finishing fourth and fifth respectively.
In Practice 2, the competitive dynamic changed. Anupabfound significant improvements in his machine and delivered a smooth lap to record a 1’37.433s. This impressive effort moved the Thai rider to the top of the leaderboard. While Wahyu remained consistent by posting a 1’37.646s to finish second in the session. Herjun also improved his overall pace, clocking a 1’37.769s to maintain third.
The final session of the day, Practice 3, saw Wahyu pushed his machine to the absolute limit in a bid to reclaim the top overall spot. The YAMAHA RACING INDONESIA rider successfully topped the final session with a brilliant 1’37.438s. However, when the times were compiled across all three sessions, Wahyu’s best effort fell just five-thousandths of a second short of Anupab’s Practice 2 benchmark.
Consequently, Anupab’s 1’37.433s stood as the fastest time of the Combined Practice. Wahyu safely secured second overall. Herjun’s Practice 2 time earned him third place in the combined standings, ensuring two Indonesian riders finished the day in the top three. A late surge in Practice 3 from Thanatat 1’37.932s and Kasma at 1’38.092s secured them fourth and fifth respectively.
Anupab commented, “Securing the top spot in the combined results today is a fantastic feeling. From the moment I went out on track, I had a really strong and comfortable connection with the bike. Honestly, everything aligned perfectly for us today, the track conditions were ideal, our base setup was solid, and the tire grip was exactly where I needed it to be to push for that lap time.”
“However, we know how tight the competition is, so we cannot just sit still and be satisfied. My team and I have been analyzing the data, and we already have some fresh ideas and strategies for Qualifying and Race 1. We are looking forward to introducing a new suspension specification tomorrow morning. If it works the way we expect it to, I am confident we can find even more pace and be even better. It is a great start to the weekend, but we are fully focused on keeping this momentum going.”
TOP 5 FASTEST – COMBINED PRACTICE
1. ANUPAB SARMOON – YAMAHA THAILAND RACING TEAM (1’37.433s)
2. WAHYU NUGROHO – YAMAHA RACING INDONESIA (1’37.438s)
3. HERJUN ATNA FIRDAUS – ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM (1’37.769s)
4. THANAT LAOONGPLIO – HONDA RACING THAILAND (1’37.932s)
5. KASMA DANIEL KASMAYUDIN – HONG LEONG YAMAHA RACING (1’38.092s)
KRITTAPAT TIMED IT PERFECTLY
The LFN FIM Asia Road Racing Championship 2026 returned to the Mandalika International Circuit in Indonesia for Round 4, saw Krittapat Keankum of YAMAHA THAILAND RACING TEAM claim the top spot in the Combined Practice in AP250 category.
The action began on Friday morning with the Indonesian riders looking to establish an early rhythm and dictate the pace on a track they know intimately. Muhammad Fadhil Musyavi of YAMAHA RACING INDONESIA set the initial benchmark in Practice 1, logging a solid 1’46.930s to take the lead. His teammate, Candra H, followed closely behind with a 1’47.004s, indicating the local squad had found a comfortable setup right out of the box. Reykat Yusuf Fadilah, representing YAMAHA LFN HP969 INDONESIA RACING TEAM, completed an all-Indonesian top three. Meanwhile, experienced contenders Hiroki Ono of HONDA RACING VIETNAM and Krittapat began their day quietly, evaluating track conditions to finish fourth and fifth respectively.
In Practice 2, Candra H managed to find extra speed through the sweeping sectors, taking over the top position with an improved time of 1’46.714s. However, the international riders were steadily beginning to close the gap. Krittapat moved up into second place with a 1’46.908s lap time. The afternoon session also saw Irfan Ardiansyah put ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM firmly into the mix by securing third, pushing early leader Fadhil Musyavi down to fourth. Fahmi Basam rounded out a tightly contested top five for YAMAHA LFN HP969 INDONESIA RACING TEAM.
In Practice 3, Krittapat executed a clean flying lap to break the 1’46 barrier, clocking an impressive 1’45.998s. This effort secured him the fastest lap of the day. Hiroki also found significant late pace, jumping to second overall with a 1’46.031s, falling just fractions short of the top spot.
Despite losing the outright lead, Candra H remained consistent, posting a 1’46.363s to secure a vital third overall. Meanwhile, Rheza Danica Ahrens delivered a crucial late lap of 1’46.547s to place his ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM machine in fourth. Fadhil Musyavi’s Practice 3 time of 1’46.571s ensured he completed Friday’s combined top five.
Krittapat shared, “I am taking this weekend step by step, focusing solely on doing my absolute best each time I leave the pit lane. Right now, I am not thinking about the championship points at all. My mind is locked on this circuit and the job in front of me. I really want to thank my entire team for their incredible hard work today. They gave me a fantastic setup and constantly pushed me to reach that top spot on the timesheets.”
“Looking ahead to tomorrow’s Qualifying and Race 1, we are not planning to make any major changes to the bike because the base package is already excellent. Instead, the improvement has to come from me. I just need to adjust and refine my riding style slightly, and if I can do that, I am confident I can produce an even faster lap time.”
“Honestly, Mandalika is a very demanding circuit for me to master. Because the track is located right next to the beach, we have to battle some very strong winds. It makes Sector 2 particularly difficult to tackle alone, as you really feel the drag without a slipstream. It is a tough physical and technical challenge, but I am fully prepared to give everything I have tomorrow.”
TOP 5 FASTEST – COMBINED PRACTICE
1. KRITTAPAT KEANKUM – YAMAHA THAILAND RACING TEAM (1’45.998s)
2. HIROKI ONO – HONDA RACING VIETNAM (1’46.031s)
3. CANDRA H – YAMAHA RACING INDONESIA (1’46.363s)
4. RHEZA DANICA AHRENS – ASTRA HONDA RACING TEAM (1’46.547s)
5. MUHAMMAD FADHIL MUSYAVI – YAMAHA RACING INDONESIA (1’46.571s)
FADLI SHONE ON HOME SOIL
The beautiful Mandalika International Circuit in Indonesia hosted the Practice sessions for Round 4 of LFN FIM Asia Road Racing Championship 2026, in the UB150 category The combined practice sessions saw Fadli Rigani of YAMAHA LFN HP969 INDONESIA RACING TEAM appeared the fastest.
In Practice 1, Fadli showed incredible comfort on his machine, he clocked a impressive lap time of 1’53.671s. This early lap immediately put the rest of the field on the defensive. Dimas Juli Atmoko of HJS YOUNGSTAR KAWAHARA RCTH SIXTY, pushed hard to close the gap but had to settle for second place with a time of 1’53.923s. The YAMAHA LFN HP969 INDONESIA RACING TEAM further demonstrated their strong setup as Danial secured the third fastest time at 1’54.269s. Md Silmi Helsinky of ONE FOR ALL and Husni Zainul Fuadzy of ZIEAR LFN HP969 ADELIN MCR RBT34 successfully rounded out the top five.
In Practice 2, despite the tougher conditions, Rendi Odding of 4S1M EVO YAMAHA Racing Team adapted best, topping the second session with a steady 1’54.642s. He was closely followed by Gupita Kresna Wardhana of ZIEAR LFN HP969 ADELIN MCR RBT34 and M. Syirat Sauki of YAMAHA LFN HP969 INDONESIA RACING TEAM. Ahmad Darwisy Ahmad Sahir of YUZY ASIA TEAM and Dimas completed the top five for Practice 2.
Because the afternoon speeds could not surpass the morning records, the Combined Practice standings remained an exact reflection of Practice 1. Fadli’s opening session brilliance firmly secured him the fastest overall time heading into the weekend. Dimas and Danial held onto their second and third positions.
Fadli said, “Alhamdulillah, I am incredibly grateful and thrilled to finish today as the fastest overall rider. Right from the moment we rolled out for Practice 1, my team and I were completely focused on finding the absolute best setup for this demanding circuit. We kept working tirelessly, analyzing the bike’s behavior and making crucial adjustments to ensure we were strong in both the morning and afternoon sessions.”
“All of that hard work truly paid off, as the results we achieved in Practice 2 proved that we have built a very competitive and consistent package. Alhamdulillah, everything clicked perfectly today, and the results were truly on our side. Now, the main goal is to stay grounded and carry this exact same momentum and confidence into tomorrow’s Qualifying session. The bike feels great, I feel incredibly motivated racing here at home, and I hope we can deliver another strong performance to secure a great starting position for the race.”
TOP 5 FASTEST – COMBINED PRACTICE
1. FADLI RIGANI – YAMAHA LFN HP969 INDONESIA RACING TEAM (1’53.671s)
2. DIMAS JULI ATMOKO – HJS YOUNGSTAR KAWAHARA RCTH SIXTY (1’53.923s)
3. DANIAL – YAMAHA LFN HP969 INDONESIA RACING TEAM (1’54.269s)
4. MD SILMI HELSINKY – ONE FOR ALL (1’54.553s)
5. HUSNI ZAINUL FUADZY – ZIEAR LFN HP969 ADELIN MCR RBT34 (1’54.712s)
LUIS’S STUNNING COMEBACK
The LFN FIM Asia Road Racing Championship 2026 resumed at the Mandalika International Circuit in Indonesia for Round 4, where the TVS Racing International Championship category saw riders from across the globe tackle the challenging layout in practice sessions. It was Luis Miguel from Spain who emerged at the top of the combined timesheets, edging out Malaysia’s Mohd Ramdan Rosli by a narrow margin.
The Practice 1 in the morning, Ramdan quickly found a comfortable rhythm as he set an impressive early benchmark of 1’46.489s to comfortably topped the opening session. Behind him, Chiranth Vishwanath from India showed strong early pace to secure second place with a 1’46.712s. Jean Kento Turner from Japan, Jhon A Lopez C from Colombia, and Oratilwe Phiri from South Africa filled out the rest of the top five.
The dynamic of the leaderboard evolved in Practice 2, the Spanish contingent found another gear, adapting well to the afternoon conditions. Luis put together a flawless lap to clock a 1’46.462s, which ultimately became the fastest time of the entire day. Ramdan also managed to improve upon his morning time, posting a 1’46.483s, but the Malaysian rider fell just 0.021s short of retaining the top spot. Vicente Perez Selfa of Spain secured the third-fastest time of the session at 1’46.534s. Meanwhile, Sarthak Chavan and Chiranth Vishwanath from India rounded out the top five for the afternoon.
The Combined Practice standings saw the times from Practice 2 proved to be the most decisive. Luis’s afternoon effort firmly secured his place at the top of the board heading into the Qualifying session. Ramdan’s consistency rewarded him with a solid second place overall, proving he is a formidable threat tomorrow. Vicente’s Practice 2 time held up for third, while Chiranth’s morning time of 1’46.712s kept him in fourth overall, just ahead of his compatriot Sarthak.
Luis said, “The day certainly didn’t start the way we had planned. During Practice 1, I had a crash at Turn 8 while trying to find the limit of the track. Thankfully, I am completely okay, but it is always a frustrating feeling because you never want to lose valuable track time or give your team extra work so early in the weekend.”
“However, my mechanics were absolutely incredible. They worked quickly to get the bike repaired, and we actually used that downtime to make a few crucial setup changes based on my initial feedback. When I rolled out for Practice 2, the bike felt completely different in the best way possible. I immediately had the confidence to push hard again, and to bounce back from a morning crash to set the fastest overall lap time is just a fantastic feeling.”
“It is a huge reward for the team’s hard work and quick thinking. Going from a crash to P1 gives me a massive boost of motivation. With the package we have now, I believe we are in a strong position to do a very good job tomorrow.”
TOP 5 FASTEST – COMBINED PRACTICE
1. LUIS MIGUEL – SPAIN (1’46.462s)
2. MOHD RAMDAN ROSLI – MALAYSIA (1’46.483s)
3. VICENTE PEREZ SELFA – SPAIN (1’46.534s)
4. CHIRANTH VISHWANATH – INDIA (1’46.712s)
5. SARTHAK CHAVAN – INDIA (1’46.833s)
| FASTEST RIDERS | DAY 1 | ROUND 4 SEASON 2026 |
