Updated: Moto3 sighting lap collision delays Malaysian MotoGP schedule
Jose Antonio Rueda and Noah Dettwiler taken to hospital via helicopter after a big accident on the sighting lap for the Malaysian Moto3 Grand Prix. Moto2 race will now be held after MotoGP.
CIP team statement on Noah Dettwiler:
"This morning, during the sighting lap at Sepang, our rider Noah Dettwiler was involved in a serious accident. He was taken to the hospital in Kuala Lumpur and will need to undergo multiple surgeries.
"He is in good hands, and we kindly ask you to respect his privacy. We will not be sharing further details at this time.
"Noah is a true fighter, and the entire CIP Green Power team is right behind him. We will keep you updated as soon as possible."
Rueda "awake and alert":
An official MotoGP update, issued during the Moto2 Grand Prix, reads: "Moto3 rider #99 Rueda is awake and alert, with a suspected hand fracture and a number of contusions."
There is no further news on the condition of Noah Dettwiler.
The MotoGP race ends:
There were no further official updates on the condition of Jose Antonio Rueda and Noah Dettwiler during the MotoGP race.
Spanish TV reports that Rueda is “fine” but has “a lot of pain.
The Moto3 race ends:
No further official news has so far been issued on the condition of Jose Antonio Rueda and Noah Dettwiler since they were taken to hospital by helicopter.
The top three riders - Taiyo Furusato, Angel Pigueras and Adrian Fernandez - do not spray champagne on the podium.
The MotoGP race takes place next.
The delayed Moto3 Grand Prix begins:
The medical helicopter returns to the circuit, and the Moto3 riders start their shortened grand prix at 13:45.
The new schedule:
The Moto3 Grand Prix will now start at 13:45 local time. That's 1 hour and 45 minutes later than planned. The delay is to allow the medical helicopter to return to the circuit. The Moto3 race is set to be reduced to ten laps.
The Moto2 race has now been moved to the end of the day, starting at 4:30pm. MotoGP is currently scheduled to start, as planned, at 3:00pm local time, between Moto3 and Moto2.
13:45 Moto3 Race - 10 laps.
15:00 MotoGP Race - 20 laps.
16:30 Moto2 Race - 17 laps.
There has been no further update on the condition of injured riders Jose Antonio Rueda and Noah Dettwiler.
Rueda, Dettwiler "taken to local hospital via helicopter":
The latest message from the MotoGP Medical Director is as follows: "Riders #99 and #55 are being taken to local hospital via helicopter".
TV images confirm a helicopter departing from the circuit. Racing cannot take place until the medical helicopter returns, or a substitute is made available.
A revised schedule is yet to be issued, but a lengthy delay is expected.
Original story: The start of the 2025 Malaysian Moto3 Grand Prix has been delayed after a frightening collision between newly-crowned world champion Jose Antonio Rueda and Noah Dettwiler on the sighting lap at Sepang.
Dettwiler was riding slowly, on the edge of the track, when Red Bull KTM Ajo star Rueda ran into the back of the CIP machine at high speed on the exit of Turn 3.
There are suggestions that Dettwiler might have had a technical issue.
Treatment is currently ongoing at the side of the track. An initial message broadcast on the live broadcast stated:
"Medical Director info | #99 Rueda and #55 Dettwiler are conscious".
The remaining Moto3 riders were sent back to the pits, due to the severity of the incident.
The Moto3 race distance will be reduced from 15 to 10 laps, although a revised start time is still to be announced.
The length of the delay means the Moto2 Grand Prix (due to start at 1:15 pm) could also be revised. The MotoGP race is scheduled for 3:00 pm.
Rueda - who took his tenth win of the season last weekend at Phillip Island - qualified on the outside of the front row, with Dettwiler 21st.
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