On June 28, 2026, Round 2 of the Asian Riders Friendship Race took place at Zhongshan Zhongsa International Circuit. A total of 15 riders competed on identical Aprilia GPR150 motorcycles. Intermittent rain throughout the day meant that practice sessions, qualifying, and both races were held in wet conditions, setting the stage for a series of exciting and closely contested battles.
Michael Ying (英綽軒) continued to improve his lap times with every outing, from practice and qualifying to Race 1 and Race 2. In Race 2, he started from 13th on the grid and fought his way up to the group battling for sixth place, delivering an impressive performance in a fiercely competitive race.
This time, we spoke with Michael about the story behind the race and what he experienced throughout the weekend.
Rider Profile
Name: Michael Ying (英綽軒)
Team：Energymoto 18
Race1：7th
Race2：DNF
From 13th on the Grid to Battling with the Top Six
── In Race 2, you were involved in an intense battle with the group fighting for sixth place. Did you have a particular strategy before the race?
After Race 1, I mainly sought advice from front-running riders Hoi and Pui. I had been struggling to build confidence in my braking under wet conditions. With their guidance, I started to get a better feel for the conditions in Race 2. Once I found my rhythm, I began pushing harder and eventually caught up with the group fighting for sixth place.
── You were constantly battling with Yin andPong ahead of you. What did you think of their performances? Were there any particular sections where you felt you had an opportunity to overtake?
My main overtaking opportunities were around T3 and T12. Before entering the corners, I would accelerate during the direction change and move onto the inside line early to attempt a block pass.
The battles during the final two laps were especially exciting. I went side by side with Pong several times into corners, using crossover lines to fight for position. It was a very intense experience.
Both riders were extremely consistent. They maintained their race pace throughout and made very few mistakes.
At Zhongshan Zhongsa International Circuit, it is common to see riders gathering after practice sessions to discuss racing lines, braking points, and riding techniques. Sharing experience and learning from one another has become an important part of the circuit's racing culture, and one of the reasons many riders continue to improve.
Faster Lap Times with Every Session
── Your lap times improved from qualifying to Race 1 and then Race 2. What do you think made the biggest difference?
I think the biggest change was my mindset. I was too cautious during qualifying and Race 1, and I wasn't able to show my true potential.
For Race 2, I decided to ride more freely and take the initiative to challenge the riders ahead of me. I just wanted to give it everything I had.
── Looking back on the weekend, what do you feel was your biggest improvement?
My biggest improvement was in rider-to-rider battles.
During regular practice, I mainly focus on improving my own riding, including racing lines, body position, throttle control, and braking. But in a race, you have to deal with direct battles against other riders. The competitors are also at a similar level to mine, which gave me valuable experience in actual race situations.
A New Lesson from the Final Lap
On the final lap of Race 2, the battle within the group fighting for sixth place was still intense. Michael continued searching for overtaking opportunities and pushing forward. However, he crashed on the final lap, bringing his exciting battle to an unexpected end.
── An incident happened on the final lap of Race 2. What was the first thing that came to your mind?
I remembered my girlfriend telling me to be careful before the race started.
Although the crash on the final lap was disappointing, when Michael looked back on the race, what mattered most to him was not the crash itself, but everything that had led up to that moment.
── If you could race the same event again, would you approach it in the same way?
I would try to get into the race earlier by setting a faster lap time in qualifying and securing a better grid position. My biggest mistake this time was qualifying, which left me starting from 13th.
Michael fought until the very last moment. Yet, when reflecting on the weekend, he kept thinking not about the crash on the final lap, but about qualifying earlier in the day.
"If I could have started further up the grid, the entire race might have unfolded differently."
His next goal, therefore, is not simply to become faster. He wants to consistently qualify near the front and put himself in a position to control the race from the start.
A Message to His Supporters
Thank you for always supporting me, encouraging me, and being there for me. (Although my fan club probably consists of just Evana!)
I'll keep my motivation high, continue improving, and keep pushing my limits!
Editor's Note
Although Michael did not make it onto the podium this time, his progress left a strong impression.
Starting from 13th in qualifying and working his way up to the group fighting for sixth in Race 2. Going from a lack of confidence in wet-weather braking to actively seeking advice from more experienced riders. And improving his own fastest lap time with every session throughout the day.
His performance showed that real progress is not simply about setting faster lap times. It is also about identifying weaknesses, improving them step by step, and building experience along the way.
Although the final result was a DNF, more important than the finishing position is that Michael has identified what he needs to work on next.
The experience gained from this race will undoubtedly be valuable for his continued development. We look forward to seeing him return with an even more mature and consistent performance at his next event.