After the Sepang tragedy, riders protest against the continuation of the Moto3 race

A tragedy rocked the Sepang circuit in Moto3, on the sidelines of the Malaysian Grand Prix, where Álex Márquez was crowned vice-champion MotoGP on Saturday. A collision of unprecedented violence occurred between José Antonio Rueda and Noah Dettwiler during the race's grid lap.

Noah Dettwiler, moving slowly, probably due to a mechanical problem with his KTM, was hit at full speed by José Antonio Rueda, the 2025 Moto3 world champion and future Moto2 rider. The rider from the French CIP Green Power team was violently thrown to the ground and did not get up.

In poor condition but conscious after the accident, the two drivers were quickly transported to hospital in Kuala Lumpur. The Swiss driver's condition still appears to be very worrying, while the team managed by Alain Bronec has appealed for the driver's privacy, refusing to comment on Noah Dettwiler's condition. José Antonio Rueda, for his part, suffered a broken hand and several bruises.

Despite this serious incident, the Moto3 race at the Malaysian Grand Prix was held, but reduced to ten laps instead of the planned fourteen. This decision drew fierce criticism from the paddock, as did the repeated broadcast of slow-motion replays of the crash before even checking the riders' condition.

Visibly concerned, race winners Angel Piqueras and Adrian Fernandez appeared deeply affected by the crash after the Moto3 race. Despite their respective second and third places, their primary concern was for the victims.

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Riders denounce the continuation of the Moto3 race

Angel Piqueras, runner-up in the championship, notably expressed his dismay to DAZN Spain. I got a podium, but I don't like to get one like that, because the champion of the category wasn't in track, he explained. It was a terrible accident, and I wish his family, his entire team, and the people who support him all the strength they need. » The MSI rider had nevertheless tried to warn José Antonio Rueda with a hand gesture to slow down, having noticed the problem on his Swiss colleague's KTM. « I saw the pilot who was stopped on the kerb. I knew other drivers were coming up behind me – and I was signaling, as if to say “stop,” trying to help, to avoid any contact or accident.. I think Rueda didn't see my hand, he regretted. It was quite difficult. »

Adrian Fernandez, younger brother of Raul Fernandez – winner of the Australian GP last week – also showed his support for his two colleagues. On the one hand I'm happy to get a podium here in the last race of the Asian tour but I want to give all the support I can to José Antonio Rueda, as well as to Noah [Dettwiler], the Spaniard confided to DAZN. This race is for them and I hope they recover. »

Two-time MotoGP world champion Francesco Bagnaia, for his part, openly criticized the decision to maintain the Moto3 race. "I'm very happy to know that Rueda is okay, apart from a few injuries. Nothing more on Dettwiler. I'm waiting for confirmation, to have some news. Maybe I'm being too empathetic. For me, letting the young riders do a ten-lap race in these conditions, after seeing the helicopters leave the scene, with two of them there, is not a good idea." the Ducati rider was outraged. The world of motorcycle racing is now on the alert regarding the health of the two riders, particularly that of Noah Dettwiler, whose situation remains worrying.

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