Dani Holgado’s Fight Remains Alive After Malaysia
A Alicante-born rider, Dani Holgado, had hoped to close the gap in the Moto3 World Championship with a strong showing in Malaysia. His dreams of a first world title took a harsh turn when a multi-rider incident unfolded during the fifth round of the Grand Prix weekend. The crash, triggered amid pressure from title contenders, dramatically reshaped the standings and dimmed Holgado’s championship hopes.
There are two rounds left in the season, with Qatar and Valencia on the calendar. Standing 41 points behind the leader with 205 points in the standings, Holgado remains in the title chase, even as Jaume Masià sits ahead in the standings. The title battle currently centers on Masià and Ayumu Sasaki, who occupies second with 233 points after thirteen rounds. In Malaysia, Sasaki finished in second place, just ahead of Masià, and could have picked up more points had the winning strategy favored them differently, a plan that relied on team play that didn’t fully materialize.
Veijer led from the opening meters of a race that started off fast. Masià and Iván Ortolá stayed close, and after the first lap the pace intensified as the leading group tried to shake off rivals Sasaki, Veijer, and Deniz Pioneer. The initial stages saw shifting tempos as the riders jostled for position, with the field gradually sorting itself into a compact lead pack.
Veijer Takes the Victory
The early attempts by Masià to break away left a group of about fifteen riders still in contention. In the fifth round a major crash reshaped the race, taking down Alonso along with Holgado, Diogo Moreira, Ricardo Rossi and Taiyo Furusato. The incident forced Holgado to watch from the pits as the others regrouped beneath the Malaysian skies.
Holgado Looks Ahead
Holgado reflected after the race on a difficult day. “It’s been an unfortunate day for us and it’s hard to digest right now,” he said. “We must stay positive, push hard in the remaining rounds, and aim for what we can still achieve, starting with the Qatar GP next week. I am grateful for the unwavering support from my team and family.” The Alicante rider, who once led the championship earlier in the season, had to concede his title chances in Malaysia as the focus shifted to the remaining events.
For Alonso and Holgado, the return to the track meant parking the bike in the pits and acknowledging that the title race would move forward with other contenders. With two rounds still on the schedule, the battle narrowed to Masià and Sasaki, who continued to push for the crown while Veijer and Öncü also looked to influence the outcome.
Holgado’s Title Fight Stumbles, Yet Remains Open
Masià defended his championship position, though Sasaki and Veijer kept the pressure on, making it hard for the Spaniard to breathe easy. The late surge by Öncü added another layer of tension as the field approached the final laps. The outcome remained unsettled as the group navigated the tougher section of the track and searched for opportunities to gain ground on the leaders.
With less than three laps to go, Masià briefly slipped, then recovered as he tried to reclaim a crucial advantage. Rueda attempted a similar move, aiming to challenge Öncü and the rear group, but the late-race drama kept the podium within reach for several rivals. When the checkered flag finally waved, Veijer had edged Sasaki to claim the win, while Sasaki finished second and Masià completed the podium in an aggressive, high-stakes finish that kept the championship alive for the next event in Qatar.
Looking ahead, the penultimate round in Qatar will shape the final outcomes of the season, with every point contested as riders seek to set up a possible title-deciding finale.
In summary, the Malaysian Grand Prix served as a dramatic turning point: Holgado, among the early leaders and a constant threat in the title battle, faced a setback that narrowed but did not extinguish his hopes. The race showcased the intensity of Moto3, where a single incident can alter the championship picture in an instant, yet the season’s narrative continues with two crucial rounds to come and a championship still within reach for the most determined riders.
Notes about the race are summarised here for context and continuity, with future events expected to define the final standings. As always in Moto3, the outcome remains uncertain until the final corner of the last race, and teams are already preparing for a decisive Qatar weekend that could crown a new champion or extend the battle into the final Valencia round.