Two MotoGP stars airlifted to hospital after horror crash before race even started

Spanish rider Jose Antonio Rueda and Noah Dettwiler of Switzerland were involved in a horror crash which disrupted the Malaysia Moto3 Grand Prix before the opening lap

Two Moto3 stars suffered injuries after a nasty crash before the start of a race in Malaysia. Jose Antonio Rueda crashed into the back of Noah Dettwiler’s bike during a sighting lap, with the pair both airlifted to hospital.

In footage picked up by TV cameras, Rueda can be seen coming in at pace and unable to prevent a collision with Dettwiler, who had slowed right down amid reports he was trying to identify an issue with his bike. There was immediate concern for both men, with race staff rushing onto the track.

Early reports from Sepang indicated Spanish rider Rueda escaped with just a fractured hand after the incident, something later confirmed by his team Red Bull KTM Ajo. He was taken immediately to hospital by helicopter while Dettwiler, from Switzerland, was initially treated by medics on the track.

“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,” Dettwiler’s team CIP Green Power said in a statement on Sunday.

“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.”

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Rueda’s team issued an update on their own rider. “Following the collision between Jose Antonio Rueda and Noah Dettwiler at the exit of Turn 3 during the Moto3 sighting lap, the Red Bull KTM Ajo rider has suffered a fracture to his hand. Rueda is currently awake and conscious in the hospital,” they said.

The team added: “It was determined that Rueda did not suffer serious injuries to his head or torso, although he did suffer a severe concussion from the impact.

“He remains under observation, awaiting further tests on his hand and arm.”

It was Taiyo Furusato who won the grand prix when it got underway over 10 laps rather than the usual 15.

Alex Marquez won the MotoGP race at the same circuit, while the Moto2 grand prix went the way of British rider Jake Dixon.

Rueda still leads the overall standings despite events in Malaysia over the weekend.

He is more than 100 points clear of his closest challenger, fellow Spaniard Angel Piqueras., and had already wrapped up the championship with four races to spare.

Dettwiler, 20, had yet to pick up a point this season across 16 grands prix. He finished all but one of his races, though, and finished just outside the points in 16th place on several occasions.