Malaysian teen rider Qabil Irfan narrowly misses victory twice but proves his class with pole position and strategic brilliance at Motorland Aragon in ESBK Talent Cup Round 3.
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Malaysia’s rising star Qabil Irfan delivered an exceptional performance in Round 3 of the ESBK Talent Cup, securing back-to-back second-place finishes in two thrilling races at the iconic Motorland Aragon Circuit.
The Frando Racing VHC Team Liqui Moly rider dominated the early sessions, topping Free Practice 3 and 4 before clocking the fastest lap in qualifying to clinch pole position. His commanding pace set the tone for the weekend, as he lined up at the front for Race 1 under scorching 45°C track temperatures.
Race 1: A Battle of Strategy and Slipstreams
Qabil launched perfectly at lights out, taking the holeshot and leading the early laps. However, strong winds and the circuit’s 968-metre straight made maintaining the lead difficult. A group of four riders traded positions throughout the race in a nail-biting contest.
On the final lap, Qabil made a bold push from Turn 1 to Turn 15, attempting to break free, but Spain’s Enzo Zaragoza used the slipstream on the final straight to snatch victory by just 0.062 seconds.
Race 2: Another Close Call
Starting from P2, Qabil immediately moved to the front but changed tactics this time. Opting for patience, he sat in fourth position for much of the race, conserving energy and studying his rivals.
Rounding the final corner, he launched a clinical attack and briefly reclaimed the lead at the last corner. Yet again, he was pipped to the line, this time by Alessio Arnold of Full Moto Squadra Corse, losing out by a mere 0.028 seconds.
“Both races were really close. I gave everything I had. Thank you to Hakim Danish for all the advice and to my team for the constant support,” said Qabil after the weekend.
Zulfahmi: “A Strong Weekend for Malaysian Motorsports”
SIC Racing Team Manager, Zulfahmi Khairuddin, praised Qabil’s consistency and tactical approach: “Alhamdulillah, it was a strong weekend. Qabil showed maturity beyond his years. He read the races well and adapted brilliantly. Even though he missed out on the win, he was always in contention.”
Zulfahmi added that the long straight at Aragon naturally benefits those who can master the slipstream, but that Qabil had executed his race plans with precision.
Qabil Irfan has emerged as a formidable title contender in the 2025 ESBK Talent Cup. With 135 points, he currently leads the championship, significantly ahead of Izan Rodriguez, who trails with 43 points. His strong performance at Aragon, securing two podium finishes and a pole position, has cemented his leading position.
The Malaysian motorsport scene has every reason to be proud, and fans will be eagerly following his progress for the rest of the season. Go Qabil!
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