While delighted with Syarifuddin Azman's surprise win on Sunday, SIC Racing Team boss Zulfahmi Khairuddin admitted he had expected more from his charges at last week's Catalunya round of the FIM CEV series.
Catalunya proved to be a challenging for Adam Norrodin who competes in the Moto2 European Championship, and riders Sharul Ezwan Sharil and Hakim Danish Ramli in the European Talent Cup (ETC).
"It has been an amazing day for us at SIC Racing as Syarifuddin was able to win his first race in the Moto3 World Junior Championship. I am happy with his progress this week," said Zulfahmi.
"For Adam, it was not an easy weekend for him as he struggled with the bike.
"He could not find the right setup and crashed in the first race, but managed fourth in the second race.
"Sharul Ezwan (14th) managed to collect some points while Hakim placed a decent 19th. Going up against European riders is an important experience for Hakim.
"Honestly, we were expecting more this weekend, but I am happy that everyone in the team worked really hard."
The Catalunya race was Hakim's first ETC race. He was given a slot in the series following his impressive performance in the Asia Talent Cup earlier this year.
The 13-year-old has been earmarked as a future star.
Zulfahmi, who has been heading SIC's rider talent development programme over the last few seasons, is known as a tough taskmaster, but Syarifuddin's maiden win and Adam Norrodin's return to form this season prove his methods are working. Adam had finished on the podium in Estoril and Valencia earlier this season.
The next round of the FIM CEV Repsol series will be held at the Algarve International Circuit in Portugal on July 2-4.
