SEPANG, Nov 1 — National Moto3 rider Muhammad Hakim Danish Ramli missed out on a home podium finish after crossing the line in fourth place at the Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix at Sepang International Circuit (SIC) here today.

Starting third on the grid, the Aeon Credit-MT Helmets-MSI rider held on to fourth position until lap seven before engaging in a fierce duel with Indonesia’s Veda Pratama, with both riders trading places on the eighth lap.

The 19-year-old then overtook Veda and Spain’s Alvaro Carpe of Red Bull KTM Ajo on lap nine to move up into third.

Hakim Danish briefly surged into second place on lap 11 after passing another Spaniard, David Almansa of Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP, but was overtaken by both Veda and Almansa on lap 12.

A podium opportunity emerged at the final corner when the Terengganu-born rider briefly overtook Carpe, but the Spaniard reclaimed the position, leaving Hakim Danish to finish fourth.

Spanish rider Maximo Quiles of CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team clinched the race victory in 33 minutes 7.634 seconds, finishing 3.734 seconds ahead of runner-up Veda, while Carpe completed the podium 4.184 seconds adrift. — Bernama