Máximo Quiles and Marco Morelli head into the final stretch of the season following the cancellation of the Australian race
The CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team riders arrive in Malaysia —the second stop in this three-race stretch— after a disappointing conclusion at Phillip Island. Marco Morelli and Máximo Quiles were unable to compete on the Australian track due to the event’s cancellation caused by weather conditions. This Sunday will be the first chance to see Máximo Quiles, now the Moto3 world champion, competing for the top positions on a race once again. The Sepang International Circuit is one of the few venues where he has yet to secure a trophy: in his only previous appearance there, he finished sixth, so his motivation this time around is clear. With ten victories to his name and following the cancellation of the Australian Grand Prix, the Spaniard can no longer become the rider with the most wins in a season in the lightweight category, but he could still equal David Alonso’s record, as the CFMOTO Aspar Team rider claimed fourteen victories on his way to the 2024 title. Achieving this will be a major challenge: he would need to win all four remaining races. Before he can aim to match Alonso, the Spanish rider faces another milestone: he is just one win away from equaling the 11 victories that Valentino Rossi achieved in the 125cc class in 1997.
Marco Morelli began to regain his rhythm at Phillip Island, and the Malaysian Grand Prix presents a great opportunity for him to continue that positive trend. His prior experience on the Malaysian track, where he scored points in 2025, will help him adapt quickly to the demanding conditions. The heat and humidity will put all the riders to the test, and the likely arrival of rain, a common occurrence at this circuit, is yet another factor to keep in mind. The Argentine rider, currently sixth in the overall standings, will be looking for a strong result this weekend to climb the rankings and aim for a top-five finish by the end of the year. He is currently eight points shy of that goal.
Máximo Quiles: “Last year was a bit tough for me here at Sepang, but I hope not to struggle as much this time around. I have much more experience now, and this year I’ve felt very comfortable on circuits where I previously struggled. We’ll work hard to ensure this is another weekend where we can fight for the win.”
Marco Morelli: “Now it’s time to focus on Malaysia. I’m really looking forward to getting there. It’s a circuit that has a bit of everything: slow and fast corners, intense heat, and low grip. I’ve always liked this track, ever since I used to watch it on television, so we’re going to give it everything we’ve got.”
