Dixon takes victory as the title fight swings Moreira’s way

This weekend saw the final flyway race of the season before Moto2 returns to Europe for the final two rounds of 2025. The Sepang International Circuit was the venue for the Petronas Grand Prix of Malaysia, and things were very tight at the top of the championship heading into the weekend with Diogo Moreira (Italtrans Racing Team) only 2 points behind leader Manuel Gonzalez (LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP).

Fantic Racing Lino Sonego duo Aron Canet and Barry Baltus finished the Australian GP 35 and 42 points respectively behind Gonzalez. Jake Dixon (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) also held a mathematical chance of winning the championship before he heads off to World Superbikes for 2026, but the Brit started the weekend 57 points behind the championship leader so would need excellent results over the final three rounds, and for some misfortune to befall those ahead of him. Most would argue that the title fight is between Gonzalez and Moreira, with Canet having an outside chance, but this is Moto2 – anything could happen!

Rookie Dani Holgado (CFMOTO RCB Aspar Team) took a stunning pole position with a blistering lap that set a new lap record, and was half a second faster than anyone else on track! Holgado would be joined by Baltus and Dixon on the front row of the grid, while Albert Arenas (ITALJET Gresini Moto2), Dani Muñoz – in for Deniz Öncü at Red Bull KTM Ajo – and David Alonso (CFMOTO RCB Aspar Team) lined up on row two.

It was a tense qualifying session for Moreira and Gonzalez, with the pair putting hard moves on each other in the early stages. Neither was able to qualify on the first two rows of the grid, and it was Gonzalez who landed the first blow of the weekend by outqualifying Moreira. Gonzalez would start the race from 7^th, just ahead of Canet and Tony Arbolino (BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2), while Moreira would be starting from 16^th on the grid.

The Moto2 riders had to wait longer than usual for their race today as they were moved to the end of the day following an extended red flag period due to a sighting lap incident in Moto3.

Dani Holgado got a great start and headed Arenas, Alonso, and Dixon into turn 1, but the race was red flagged on the second lap following a crash for Joe Roberts (Onlyfans American Racing Team) at the end of lap one. Roberts was up on his feet, but his bike was in an awkward position so the red flag allowed for a safe recovery.

The race was soon restarted – shortened to 11 laps – and in the late evening sunshine, Holgado once again took the lead. Dixon was quickly up to 2^nd, while Gonzalez made a solid start which saw him jump to 4^th through turn 1 with closest championship rival Moreira making his own progress up to 11^th. There was early contact between Dixon and Arenas as they engaged in battle for 2^nd place, with Dixon eventually seeing his former teammate off, and heading in pursuit of race leader Holgado.

Holgado and Dixon were beginning to pull a gap ahead of Alonso in 3^rd while Gonzalez dropped to 6^th after running wide. Dixon made his way into the lead of the race with a pass on Holgado on lap three, and the Brit got his head down and pulled away from Holgado and Alonso. Alonso had a fight on his hands mid-way through the race as Baltus passed him for 3^rd, but Alonso was able to fight back and reclaim the position.

Moreira was on a charge through the pack, and as Alonso passed teammate Holgado for 2^nd out front, Moreira was passing Arenas for 6^th and no doubt eyeing up a move on Gonzalez if he could close the 0.8 second gap to the Spaniard. As it turned out, Moreira didn’t need to worry about passing Gonzalez as the championship leader crashed out of the race with less than two laps to go. He was able to remount and rejoin the race, but he finished in 25^th position and out of the points.

Dixon sealed his victory with a wheelie across the line, and was joined on the podium by Alonso and Baltus – who had pinched the final podium spot from Holgado on the last lap. Moreira finished in 5^th, with Arenas, Muñoz, Alex Escrig (KLINT Forward Factory Team), Collin Veijer (Red Bull KTM Ajo), and Arbolino rounding out the top ten.

With Moriera finishing in 5^th place, Gonzalez scoring no points and Canet bringing home a single point in 15^th place, while both Dixon and Baltus were on the podium, the top five of the championship has reshuffled ahead of the final two races.

Moreira has moved into the lead, and is 9 points ahead of Gonzalez. Baltus and Dixon leapfrog Canet into 3^rd and 4^th, but all three do remain mathematically in the fight as the season draws to a conclusion.

Moto2 returns to action for the penultimate round of the season. The Qatar Airways Grand Prix of Portugal takes place at the Autodromo International do Algarve from the 7^th to 9^th of November 2025.

Featured Image: motogp.com