SASAKI SETS SIGHTS HIGH FOR FINAL ROUND; IZAM IKMAL TO REPLACE ADAM NORRODIN AT VALENCIA

2018-11-13 08:18
Comunitat Valenciana - Ricardo Tormo, Spain – Tuesday 13th November

Circuit: Circuit Ricardo Tormo
Circuit Length: 4.0 km

Returning to Europe for the last round of the 2018 MotoGP season, PETRONAS Sprinta Racing rider Ayumu Sasaki has his sights set firmly on a grand finale.

Going from strength to strength since the halfway point in the season, Sasaki has shown his ability to fight at the front on numerous occasions, along with two spectacular podium battles in Thailand and Australia. Coming so close to his target, the eighteen-year-old is eager to return to the Circuit Ricardo Tormo, where last year he concluded all sessions within the top eight.

Following the withdrawal of Adam Norrodin due to immediate surgery required, PETRONAS Sprinta Racing’s CEV Moto3 rider Izam Ikmal, will take his place for this weekend’s Valencia Grand Prix.
Currently competing in the teams’ Junior outfit, the sixteen-year-old Malaysian rider has been given the opportunity to gain further experience, as he steps up to the principal Moto3 class.

CEO Sepang International Circuit - Razlan Razali; “We have decided to place Izam [Ikmal] as the replacement rider for Adam [Norrodin] for the last MotoGP round in Valencia. We are not expecting anything special but more for Izam to gain experience and continue his development on the Moto3 machine and especially before the last round of the CEV in Valencia, which is one week later. It is better to the take risk with our own development rider than other nationalities, otherwise it defeats the purpose of having a development program”.

#71 AYUMU SASAKI

“I’m really looking forward to the last race in Valencia. Valencia is one of my favourite tracks and this is my last chance to fight for the podium in 2018. We’ve had a very positive year and I feel like we have taken a big step, so of course I want to finish the season on a high. I am going to give it everything I have. I am focused on my target and ready to work hard.”

#36 IZAM IKMAL

“Firstly I would like to thank Dato Razlan and Zulfahmi for this amazing opportunity and making my dreams come true, not forgetting all at PETRONAS Sprinta Racing. I’m really happy and excited to be able to compete in the Moto3 category at Valencia this weekend. It’s a great opportunity for me to learn more about the track and race with other top Moto3 riders. I will do my best. I would also like to wish Adam Norrodin a speedy recovery.”

Source: SIC Racing Team

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