He will be the full-time rider of 125cc in MotoGP thumpup potential to be on Top10... not AirAsia but ride under international team Ongetta.
PETALING JAYA: Mohd Zulfahmi Khairuddin is ready to trade the comforts of his home in Banting to ride for a full season with Italian outfit Ongetta-ISPA in the 125cc class of the motorcycling world championship.
The 18-year-old rider, who is backed by low-cost carrier AirAsia, was offered a ride by Ongetta for the 2010 season which will begin in Qatar in April.
Mohd Zulfahmi Khairuddin Two Wheels Motor Racing (TWMR), Sepang International Circuit (SIC) and Motorsports Association of Malaysia (MAM) facilitated his move from riding in the Petronas AAM Malaysian Cub Prix Championships to the world championship.
“Some may say that I’m lucky to be offered a spot to race in the world championship, but it won’t be easy,” said Zulfahmi.
“Leaving home will be my biggest sacrifice as I will be based in Bologna for the whole season. I’ll have some trouble adjusting to life abroad at first, but I won’t make a big deal out of it.”
The 2010 MotoGP season will run from April to November but Zulfahmi will ship out to Bologna on Jan 12 to start his preparation.
There, he is scheduled to work on his fitness as well as polish up his motocross and supermotard riding skills.
Zulfahmi earned his spurs after a good showing as a wildcard in the Malaysian MotoGP in October when he finished 20th in a field of 33 riders.
He then rode for Ongetta in the Spanish national championship in November, but crashed out in the seventh lap.
Zulfahmi will be the first Malaysian rider in eight years to compete in a full season of the world championship after Shahrol Yuzy, who was the last Malaysian to ride in the 250cc class at the world championship for three seasons from 2000.
“I didn’t expect to race in the world championship this soon but it has been truly a dream come true.
“No doubt I’m very proud but at the same time I’m feeling a bit anxious because I will be carrying the hopes of the nation,” he said.
Currently, Ongetta have four riders plying their trade with them and for the 2010 season, they will run four bikes in the championship.
Ongetta finished the 2009 championship in the top-10 with Andrea Ianonne in seventh spot in the riders’ category.
Subject: MOTOGP 125cc 
04.02.10 19:29
