Dani Holgado accepted responsibility for the first-corner collision with team-mate David Alonso in the Mandalika Moto2 race and apologised to both the Colombian rider and their team. Holgado touched the rear of Alonso’s bike in the Turn 1 battle, sending both riders down and launching Alonso into the air. Holgado said the fact that it happened in the opening corners was not an excuse for his mistake.

Joe Roberts and Collin Veijer were caught in the aftermath, forcing the race to be stopped with a red flag. Holgado and Veijer were able to line up for the restart, but Roberts could not return after a rear-brake problem affected his repaired motorcycle. Alonso was taken to hospital with a pulmonary contusion, or lung bruise, and suffered no other injuries.

A podium after a difficult restart

Despite the challenge of getting back on the bike, Holgado finished third behind Izan Guevara and Manuel Gonzalez. He said his hand was painful after becoming slightly trapped on Alonso’s wheel during the crash. A further problem appeared when he shifted into fifth gear: the motorcycle cut the throttle, costing him significant time in the final sector. Holgado still secured the podium and said he had given everything he could after falling behind the leaders.

Holgado will race for Gresini Ducati in MotoGP next season. HRC has not yet confirmed Alonso’s destination. The options described are a place alongside Fabio Quartararo in the factory team or a seat at LCR with Johann Zarco.