MOTOGP: Zulfahmi believes again

MOHD Zulfahmi Khairuddin put the disappointment of crashing out after leading his last race to post a fourth fastest qualifying time in the Moto3 class ahead of the Japanese Motorcycle Grand Prix in Motegi yesterday.

Zulfahmi Khairuddin

It was AirAsia-SIC-Ajo Motorsport rider Zulfahmi's third best qualifying result of the season and his best outside of Europe to date, having qualified second for the Grand Prix of Catalunya and third for the Czech Grand Prix.

But 21-year old Zulfahmi will be hoping a more complete race weekend to surface this time as he builds up for his home race at Sepang next weekend.

In the Grand Prix of Aragon in Spain two weeks ago, Zulfahmi blasted away from the grid and into the early lead, only to fade away due to tyre wear later in the race and eventually crashed out from ninth position.

Still in search of his first ever podium finish despite many close calls this season, Zulfahmi starts in Motegi today with a more realistic target in the back of his mind -- to record 100 championship points.

The Malaysian is currently seventh in the championship with 81 points and looks a good bet to meet his target barring mishaps in the final four races of his third full season in the FIM World Motorcycle Championship.

"I'm satisfied with today's outcome although I was expecting to be on the front row. But I'm fourth and start from the second row, so I'm still hoping for a good race," said Zulfahmi.