Syarifuddin Azman vince l’ultima gara della stagione della Idemitsu Asia Talent Cup sul Circuito Internazionale di Sepang, mettendo la bandiera della Malesia sul gradino più alto del podio in casa. L’eroe locale batte Sho Nishimura che ottiene il secondo posto e il titolo di Idemitsu Asia Talent Cup Champion 2019 mentre Takuma Matsuyama, rivale chiave, esce presto di scena. Il terza piazza per l’Indonesiano Adenanta Putra che si batte con tutte le forze per salire sul podio in una corsa dove tutti i piloti hanno gareggiato in ricordo di Afridza Munandar.
Il combattimento per il terzo posto è stato vinto da Putra mentre ha respinto il compagno indonesiano Herjun Firdaus, con l’australiano Jacob Roulstone che è quinto. Alcuni piloti sono caduti all'ultima curva, tra cui Tatchakorn Buasri, Shoki Igarashi, Harrison Voight e Kanta Hamada che non sono riusciti a finire la corsa.
E così, Nishumura prende la corona e Matsuyama è il secondo classificato dopo una stagione da protagonista nella IATC, con i due piloti giapponesi che si sono sfidati fino alla fine. Ma concludiamo l’anno pensando e correndo per Afridza Munandar, che si è classificato al terzo posto assoluto. Il suo premio è stato ritirato dal meccanico Daniel Parrado in sua memoria.
The answer was yes. He and Azman disappeared into the distance in an impressive duel, the Malaysian more than able to keep the pace of one of the eventual Cup winner. More than that, he was also able to attack and held the lead heading onto the final lap - before Nishimura struck back at Turn 1.
It didn't last long. A few corners later the Malaysian swept back around into the lead, and that left Nishimura with the work to do. Could he keep the pace? As Azman stretched his legs even further in the lead, the number 3 machine in second instead started looking behind him. And for Azman, that was enough to reward his impressive ride with a first win of the year. Nishimura's second, meanwhile, was enough to reward him the title of 2019 Idemitsu Asia Talent Cup Champion.
The mammoth fight for third was won by Putra as he fended off fellow Indonesian Herjun Firdaus, with Australian Jacob Roulstone impressing in fifth. A number of riders fell out that fight after some drama at the final corner though, with Tatchakorn Buasri, Shoki Igarashi, Harrison Voight and Kanta Hamada all failing to finish.
Sixth went the way of Piyawat Patoomyos as he got the better of Hildhan Kusuma, with Warit Thongnoppakun taking eighth and the last of that big fight for the podium to finish. Luke Power and Kadir Erbay duelled it out to complete the top ten in that order.
And so, Nishumura takes the crown and Matsuyama is the runner up after a close season of competition in the IATC, with the two Japanese riders having had a big share of the wins between them. But we complete the year thinking of and racing for the late Afridza Munandar, who was confirmed as classified third overall after an emotional season finale. His award was collected by mechanic Daniel Parrado in his memory.