Another first-time winner in the Moto3 World Championship. Collin Veijer achieved his maiden victory this Sunday at the Malaysian Grand Prix in Sepang after a race in which he consistently held a top position, being one of the protagonists from start to finish.
Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) had a good start to take the lead, but the biggest gainer at the beginning was Jaume Masiá (Leopard Racing/Honda), positioning himself in second before the first turn. Ivan Ortolá (Angeluss MTA Team/KTM) took third place.
In the first lap, Masiá took the lead, and Ayumu Sasaki (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) moved up to third. Ortolá also lost position to Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo). There was a change of leader on the third lap when Sasaki overtook Masiá, with an almost immediate reaction from the Spanish rider to regain the position. Shortly after, Öncü overtook Veijer and became third.
As is customary in Moto3, the leading group constantly witnessed position changes. With 11 laps to go, Masiá was already fifth, while Sasaki had returned to the top. Öncü and David Muñoz (BOE Motorsport/KTM) were also in podium positions. On the fifth lap, there was a spectacular accident involving several riders, including Daniel Holgado (Red Bull KTM Tech3) and David Alonso (Gaviota GasGas Aspar).
Unfazed by the incident, the leading group continued the fight. With nine laps to go, Sasaki and Veijer were in the top two positions, and Matteo Bertelle (Rivacold Snipers Team/Honda) was fourth, behind Masiá. Position changes continued, with uncertainty reigning in Sepang.
In the last laps, six riders stood out in the battle for the win: Sasaki, Veijer, Masiá, Öncü, Bertelle, and José Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo). This group was reduced when three laps from the end, Rueda, Öncü, and Bertelle were involved in an incident. The Ajo riders fell, while Bertelle only fell back to ninth.
The battle for victory was thus left to Sasaki, Veijer, and Masiá. In the final lap, Veijer managed to maintain the lead against Sasaki’s attacks to celebrate his first win. Masiá finished third. Ortolá and Muñoz completed the top five ahead of Adrián Fernández (Leopard Racing/Honda). After the incident in the penultimate lap, Bertelle finished 11th ahead of Öncü, while Rueda retired.
Results: