Singapore bikers hope to take on MotoGP in future

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http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/sport/vroom-to-grow-singapore/1431464.html

Seventeen-year-old Azhar Noor dreams of putting Singapore on the world motorsports map. He started riding mini bikes at the age of 10, and fell in love with the thrill of competition as he joined races on the Tuas circuit and in Kuala Lumpur.

"At first, I started from the back, but slowly, step by step, I started going up to third place, second place, first place, and I think I got better at these pocket bikes," said Azhar. "Now I'm riding a Moto3 bike for my Asia Talent Cup race."

The Asia Talent Cup is the region's premier feeder race which gives talented riders a chance to be promoted to the professional leagues of MotoGP racing. With Azhar competing in the final races of the championship this weekend from Oct 24 to 26, the Singapore Motor Sports Association (SMSA) says young riders like him may soon fly Singapore's flag in the professional circuit.

Mr Thamodharan Krishnan, vice president of motorcycle sport at SMSA, expressed his optimism regarding professional riders coming from Singapore: "I'm optimistic, because looking back five years ago, we did not have any riders in any of these races riding semi-pro or professionally.

"Right now, you have people like Azhar, who's only 17 years old and already in the Asia Talent Cup. So it gives me great joy that moving forward, maybe in five years, we could see younger riders emulating him and coming into the series."

Interest in the sport here has been growing, with over 6,000 Singaporean fans travelling up to the Sepang International Circuit for the 2013 MotoGP. Organisers said that this figure has been growing consistently since 2007.

Three young riders are looking to follow in Azhar's footsteps - Arsyad Rusydi, and brothers Rusydi and Aiman Shaharum. They have signed up for the selections of next year's Asia Talent Cup.

With the growing interest and support, it might not be too long before Singaporean racers make a mark for themselves in Asia and beyond.