KUALA LUMPUR – A dramatic crash early in the first lap wasn’t enough to stop Malaysia’s 16-year-old racing sensation, Muhammad Hakim Danish Ramli, from clinching a remarkable second-place finish in the second race of the 2025 MotoGP Rookies Cup at the Le Mans Circuit today.
Starting from pole position, the Kuala Terengganu-born rider was primed for a strong performance in the wet conditions.
However, his hopes of maintaining that lead were dashed after a collision with Spanish rider Brian Uriarte at Turn 3 sent Hakim Danish sprawling onto the tarmac.
With the Malaysian now in 22nd place, it seemed as though his chances of reaching the podium were all but gone.
But Hakim Danish demonstrated remarkable resilience. After getting back on his bike, he rejoined the race with unwavering determination. With each passing lap, he regained positions, gradually making up ground and showing impressive pace despite the slick conditions.
By lap five, he had moved into fifth place, and by lap seven, he surged into second place following a fall by New Zealand’s Carter Thompson.
Hakim Danish finished 12.361 seconds behind race winner Benat Fernandez of Spain, who posted a time of 25:46.423. Argentina’s Marco Morelli completed the podium, finishing third, 21.922 seconds behind the Malaysian.
After the race, Hakim Danish reflected on his fightback. “I thought I already lost the podium, but I picked up my bike, rejoined the race, tried to stay calm, and overtook as many riders as I could. In the end, I managed to get the podium,” he said, as reported by Bernama.
Hakim Danish had already shown his resilience the day before, finishing second in Race 1.
Starting from pole, he was penalised with a Long Lap Penalty that dropped him to fifth, but he fought back to finish just 0.401 seconds behind winner Brian Uriarte.
The race was red-flagged after a crash, but Hakim Danish’s determination secured his third consecutive second-place finish, keeping him at the top of the standings with 60 points, ahead of Uriarte (50) and Carter Thompson (48).
He now leads with 80 points, ahead of Fernandez (57) and Uriarte (50). The next round will be held in Aragon, Spain, on June 7-8. — May 11, 2025