The delayed WorldSSP race at Sepang on Sunday proved to be well worth the wait for the home crowd and for those viewing around the world, as Malaysian rider Zulfahmi Khairuddin pushed for victory right to the end.

After he got away from fifth on the grid Khairuddin’s battle at the front against eventual race winner Ayrton Badovini brought the crowd to their feet throughout the race, as he and the Italian swapped places in the lead.

The patient local fans had to wait until after the exciting WorldSBK race to see their hero in action as the initially scheduled WorldSSP race was postponed until later in the afternoon due to heavy rain. Once it did get underway the wet surface at the newly relayed Sepang circuit made for some great racing.

Khairuddin grew up close to this track and enjoys immense support here. The crowd appreciated his effort on his home debut in WorldSSP as he dueled with Badovini, the Malaysian being just unable to make a last corner move stick and ultimately having to settle for second by just 0.050s on the line.

Khairuddin said afterwards: “I wanted to push hard at the beginning and pull away but it wasn’t possible. Then I tried to manage the tyres, because on my right side it was not so good. Then we started to fight for the last four laps. I was quite sure that I could pass on the last corner on the last lap, but I almost lost the front.

He continued, “It was an exciting race and a little bit frustrating that we didn’t win. We have a lot of races to go and I’m looking forward to the next race and hope we can have a good one. I really felt like everyone here was supporting me, the crowd here were really amazing. I think it is the same as in 2012 when I was in MotoGP. I’m really happy with all the people who have come here, with all the team who really support me and with the sponsors to help make this podium happen.”

“I can be happy with second but today winning would have been really good.”