06 Aug 2012 Swandi: Back on the podium again

Indonesian rider Iswandi Muis has shown that his first Asia Dream Cup podium won in Indonesia two months ago was no fluke. Even though this was Iswandi's first race at the Zhuhai International Circuit, host to Round 3 of the 2012 series, Iswandi successfully battled his way through a 7-bike pack to emerge as winner of Race 1 of the Asia Dream Cup.

The eventful race began with Ono and Okubo in the lead. However, Ono crashed in Lap 2, leaving a 7-bike group comprising of Hikari Okubo, Apiwat Wongthananon, Joshua Hook, S. Sasitharen, Fitri Ashraf Razali, Iswandi Muis and Denny Triyugo chasing after the top spot.
 
As has become the norm in the Asia Dream Cup, the lead again changed hands with every corner. The battle intensified when Iswandi suddenly slipstreamed his way into the lead, successfully fending off Okubo's attempts to rein him in. In that mad dash to the finish line, Fitri Ashraf Razali highsided, taking out Joshua Hook with him.
 
At the front, Iswandi won the race with a margin of 0.028s, clocking a total race time of 21:08.193s. Hikari Okubo who started from pole position had to be content with second place with a time of 21:08.221s followed by Apiwat Wongthananon again in third with 21:08.432s.
 
"I am really happy as this is my first win. I waited for the final lap because I could feel that my bike still had some speed to spare. I am very glad that my gamble had paid off," said Iswandi.