Good start for Zulfahmi ahead of Australian GP

National Moto3 rider Muhammad Zulfahmi Khairuddin put up a commendable performances in both free practice sessions of the Australian Grand Prix in Phillip Island in a grid of 34 riders.

The AirAsia SIC Ajo Racing Team rider who rides a heavier and more powerful 250cc KTM machine clocked 1 minute 41.261 seconds to finish seventh fastest in the opening free practice session, which was marked by the return of Maverick

Vinales who sensationally walked out of his Blusens Avintia Team at the previous round at Sepang International Circuit (SIC).

Vinales finished fourth fastest in the morning free practice session, which was topped by newly crowned champions Sandro Cortese, after clocking 1:39.902s around the 4,448-meter track, said SIC in a statement here, today.

Britain's Danny Kent was second fastest as he finished four tenths slower than his KTM Red Bull Ajo teammate with Jonas Folger in third with a further tenth of a second behind.

Zulfahmi, who failed to qualify in his first visit to the Australian Grand Prix in 2010 and who finished 27th in qualifying last year during the 125cc era, bettered his time in the second session, clocking 1:40.325s to finish sixth fastest.

Commenting on Zulfahmi’s performance, SIC's Chief Executive Officer Datuk Razlan Razali who was satisfied with the outcome said the young Malaysian was clearly more comfortable in a Moto3 250cc machine as compared with the lighter 125cc machine, around the windy Phillip Island circuit.

"We hope he carries on the momentum in Sepang last weekend into the Australian race on Sunday. Again, we hope for a top five finish and solidify his position in the world championship standings," Razlan said.

The 21-year old Banting-born rider put up a five-star performance at last weekend’s Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix in Sepang, en route to creating history by recording a first ever podium finish in the world championship after his sensational second place finish behind winner Cortese.

A day earlier, on Oct 20, he had marked his 21st birthday by recording Malaysia’s first ever pole position after topping the qualifying session.

With two races remaining, including the Australian MotoGP, Zulfahmi currently sits in seventh place with 112 points. Cortese, the 22-year-old German rider was confirmed as the new Moto3 world champion last weekend after collecting 280 points while Kalex KTM rider, Luis Salom, of Spain sits in second place with 207 points.