Givi Honda Yuzy Racing’s team principal, Shahrol Yuzy insists that they are not taking anything for granted as they head into the 2015 PETRONAS AAM Malaysian Cub Prix Championship opening round in Temerloh, Pahang this weekend as defending champions.
The team have already been labeled as strong favourites for the 22nd Cub Prix edition after they won the CP130 title last year through Mohd Zaqhwan Zaidi and secured the Best Team Award, defeating triple champion, Harian Metro Y-TEQ SCK Honda Racing.
“We may have won last year but it is important that we do not take anything for granted heading into the new season. If anything I believe things will only get tougher for us because we are now the main target,” said Yuzy.
With Zaqhwan’s departure to the World Moto2 Championship, Yuzy decided to promote CP115 riders, Mohd Amirul Ariff Musa and Mohd Rozaiman Mohd Said to the premiere class alongside sophomore, Sasitharen Sukumaran.
The overhaul was made after Cub Prix promoter; Safe Aim Mutual Sdn Bhd (SAM) introduced new rules that allow for up to three riders per team, with the results of the best two riders being taking into account for the Team Award standings.
In the past, the Team Award had been tabulated based on the results of only two nominated riders per team which means that each CP130 team this year will feature a 3-man line-up, providing additional impetus for teams to graduate their talented young rookies to the premiere class as soon as possible.
Despite Zaqhwan’s absence, Yuzy is certain his new CP130 line-up has what it takes to shake up the field.
Boosting his confidence further, Yuzy revealed the team had already demonstrated a strong pace in a private test but feels maintaining the same high level of performance throughout the year would be an uphill task.
“So far the bike looks to be a step forward in terms of speed and reliability and the riders are fighting fit, so we’re hoping for a good result in Temerloh,” Yuzy said.
He added, “But just because our test went on smoothly doesn’t guarantee a win. There is still a huge amount of work to be done in every race because the variables keeps changing. Hence we must always be on guard and consistently keep our performance at maximum throughout the season. Only by doing this can we have a shot at winning the Team Awards again.”
Meanwhile WIRA graduate and latest addition to the Givi Honda Yuzy Racing camp, Mohd Afiki Supaat will contest in the intermediate CP115 category.
