MALAYSIA’s riding sensation, Muhammad Zulfahmi Khairuddin showed that he was getting closer to realizing his dream of a podium finish in the Moto3 when he produced a stunning lap time of 1’42.4 to finish sixth on the second day of pre-season tests in Valencia.

The Banting born 20 year old, followed up an impressive first day when he finished 8th  with an even better performance on his new KTM bike in slightly warmer temperatures at the Ricardo Tormo circuit.

Sunshine and slightly higher temperatures yesterday provided the teams and riders the opportunity to get through a busy test schedule with Moto3 riders making up to 56 laps.

It was a far cry from the cold and freezing conditions Wednesday, which saw Fahmi blazing out of the pits with a lap time of 1’43.0 after 33 laps.

Sandro Cortese (Red Bull KTM Ajo) again led the way with a time of 1’41.3, an improvement of three tenths of a second over Wednesdays top time. Alberto Moncayo followed just one tenth behind the German, and commented “if we continue to progress as we are, we’ll do well the rest of the year. Today was good because I felt comfortable from the third lap on."

Briton Danny Kent was two-tenths behind his Red Bull KTM Ajo teammate Cortese to rank third, while one of the seasons favorites in the new category of Moto3, Hector Faubel, finished fourth, four-tenths off Cortese and seven tenths quicker than his best effort yesterday.

The rest of the field had positive reactions to their second day of testing, including Repsol’s Álex Márquez, Miguel Oliveira and Maverick Viñales, though Márquez suffered a small crash caused by the cold track surface early in the day, his second in two days.

The two pre-season tests provided Fahmi with the first opportunity to manoeuvre his new four stroke KTM machine after previously being on the saddle with the two stroke Aprilia.

“I am happy with the new bike and I was surprised at my fifth placing at the end of the day. This has given me the confidence to aim for the podium in my first race in Qatar.

“I like the feel of my new KTM machine. I’m surprised at how easy it was to familiarize myself with the bike after some small modifications on the setting,” said Fahmi.

Based on the encouraging tests on his new bike, Fahmi is aiming for an ambitious top 10 position by the end of the season.

“After the tests, I’m confident of ending this season in the top 10. It’s a dream come true for me to finally get my hands on a factory bike,” said Fahmi.

The 18 round MotoGP calendar starts this 20th March at Losail, Qatar with the Malaysian MotoGP scheduled on 23rd October at Sepang Circuit two races before the finale at Valencia, Spain at November.

Moto2 lap times Thursday (recorded by teams):

1. SANDRO CORTESE, RED BULL KTM AJO, 1’41.3 (52 laps)
2. ALBERTO MONCAYO, ASPAR TEAM Moto3, 1’41.4 (42 laps)
3. DANNY KENT, RED BULL KTM AJO, 1’41.5 (56 laps)
4. HECTOR FAUBEL, ASPAR TEAM Moto3, 1’41.8 (34 laps)
5. MIGUEL OLIVEIRA, MONLAU COMPETICION, 1’41.8 (61 laps)
6. ZULFAHMI KHAIRUDDIN, AIRASIA - SIC - AJO, 1’42.4 (33 laps)
7. JACK MILLER, CARRETTA TECHNOLOGY, 1’42.9 (55 laps)
8. LOUIS ROSSI, RACING TEAM GERMANY, 1’43.1 (34 laps)
9. DANNY WEBB, MAHINDRA RACING, 1’43.2 (30 laps)
10. BRAD BINDER, RW RACING GP, 1’43.3 (41 laps)