Two Malaysian Talents Gear Up for Crucial Races in Europe

Hakim Danish and Qabil Irfan face high-stakes battles in Misano and Estoril as both chase championship glory for Malaysia.

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This week marks a decisive moment for two of Malaysia’s rising stars on the international stage, Hakim Danish in the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup season finale at Misano, and Qabil Irfan in Round 6 of the España Superbike Championship (ESBK) at Estoril, Portugal.

Both riders are in strong contention for championship honours, with Danish chasing a late surge for the Rookies Cup title and Qabil defending his lead in the ESBK Talent category.

Hakim Danish – Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup, Misano

The curtain closes on the 2025 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup this weekend at Misano, San Marino. Known for its 16 turns and 530-metre straight, the Misano World Circuit will host a nail-biting finale as the title fight comes down to the wire.

Currently third in the standings, Danish sits 26 points adrift of championship leader Brian Uriarte. With 50 points still up for grabs across the final two races, the Sepang-trained rider remains mathematically in the hunt.

“After spending three weeks in Malaysia, I trained hard, riding motorcycles, cycling, running and working out in the gym. I am definitely more motivated for the final round.” Danish shared. “Right now, I am in 3rd place in the overall standings and still have the chance to fight for the top spot. What’s on my mind now is to win both races.”

Qabil Irfan – ESBK Round 6, Estoril

Meanwhile in Portugal, Qabil Irfan enters the sixth round of the ESBK Talent category with a 32-point cushion over Switzerland’s Alessio Arnold. The Estoril Circuit, one of Qabil’s personal favourites, stretches 4.182km with 13 corners and a near-1km straight – a track well-suited to his aggressive riding style.

After a strong outing in Navarra, Qabil stayed in Barcelona for intensive training with Riders Formation to sharpen both fitness and technique.

“I’ve been in Barcelona for intensive training with Riders Formation and now I’m fully prepared to kick off race week. I hope everything goes smoothly, and I’ll give my very best to maintain my position in the championship this week,” Qabil said. 

Team Perspective

Team principal Zulfahmi Khairuddin highlighted the significance of the week: “This is a very important weekend for both riders. For Danish, we are 26 points behind but still in with a chance, especially as Misano is one of his favourite circuits. For Qabil, we cannot allow Alessio to dominate, so we’ve fine-tuned the bike to give him every chance to stay ahead. Both boys are ready, and Malaysia is behind them.”

How to Watch

Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup (Misano): Live on Red Bull TV and the official Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Facebook page. Race 1 on Saturday, Race 2 on Sunday.

ESBK Round 6 (Estoril): Live on the RFME YouTube channel this Sunday.

As free practice kicks off today, fans are urged to rally behind both Malaysian riders as they take on Europe’s finest.