Hakim Danish secures another podium in Rookies Cup
YOUNG Malaysian rider Muhammad Hakim Danish Ramli showed his consistency by finishing second in the second round of the MotoGP Rookies Cup at the Le Mans Circuit in France late last night.
In Race One, the 16-year-old started from pole position but was handed a Long Lap Penalty, which temporarily relegated him to fifth place. However, he staged an impressive comeback to rejoin the front pack.
Hakim Danish finished just 0.401 seconds behind Spanish rider Brian Uriarte, who won the race with a time of 17:31.903s.
Italian rider Giulio Pugliese claimed third place with a time of 17:37.973s.
The 15-lap race was cut short with four laps remaining following a crash involving three riders, prompting race marshals to wave the red flag.
This marks the third consecutive second-place finish for the Kuala Terengganu-born rider in this season's Rookies Cup.
'I gave it my all despite the penalty. I'll give my best again in Race Two tomorrow (Sunday). Please pray for me,' he said after the race.
The result sees Hakim Danish retain his position at the top of the overall standings with 60 points, ahead of Uriarte (50 points) and New Zealander Carter Thompson (48 points).
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
20 minutes ago
- The Star
Tennis-It's a privilege to make history with you, Alcaraz tells Sinner
Tennis - French Open - Roland Garros, Paris, France - June 8, 2025 Spain's Carlos Alcaraz poses with the trophy after winning the men's singles final alongside runner up Italy's Jannik Sinner REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes PARIS (Reuters) -French Open champion Carlos Alcaraz praised his rival Jannik Sinner after their burgeoning rivalry offered the Roland Garros crowd a vintage final clash at Roland Garros on Sunday. Spain's Alcaraz retained his title after saving three match points to beat world number one Sinner 4-6 6-7(4) 6-4 7-6(3) 7-6(10-2) in the longest French Open final since tennis turned professional in 1968 - a battle lasting five hours 29 minutes. "I am pretty sure you are going to be champion not once, but many, many times. It is a privilege to share the court with you in every tournament," Alcaraz said on court after ending Sinner's 20-match winning streak at Grand Slams. "I am just really, really happy to be able to make history with you in this tournament, in other tournaments; you are a huge inspiration to young kids and to me." Alcaraz has now won his five Grand Slam finals and handed Sinner his first defeat in a major final after the Italian claimed his first three at the Australian Open (2024 and 2025) and U.S. Open (2024). Alcaraz thanked the court Philippe Chatrier crowd for their support, which he said helped him throughout the tournament. "Then Paris, guys, I mean, you have been a really important support to me since the first practice, since the first round," he said. "You were unbelievable. You were insane for me. I mean, I just can't, can't thank enough, you know, to you for the great support during the whole week, for today's match. "For today's match, you were really, really important. You are in my heart and you'll always be in my heart. So thank you. Thank you very much, Paris. And see you next year." (Reporting by Julien Pretot; Editing by Ken Ferris)
New Straits Times
6 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Italy sack coach Spalletti after Norway defeat
MILAN: Luciano Spalletti has been sacked from his role as Italy's coach, the manager said on Sunday, following their heavy loss to Norway, but will take charge of Monday's game against Moldova. Spalletti made the announcement at a press conference after Norway stunned Italy with a 3-0 win on Friday, handing the visitors a humiliating start to their World Cup qualifying campaign. "Last night we were together with (Italian football federation) president (Gabriele) Gravina. He told me that I will be relieved of my position as coach of the national team," Spalletti said. "I had no intention of giving up. I would have preferred to stay in my place and continue doing my job. I'll be there tomorrow evening against Moldova, then we'll resolve the contract." Spalletti's dismissal comes after less than two years in the role, having replaced Roberto Mancini and taking charge in September 2023. While Spalletti took Italy to Euro 2024, their disappointing performance there had already put the manager under pressure. Italy went into the Euros last year in Germany as defending champions but after winning their opening game against Albania, they lost to Spain and snatched a late draw with Croatia to make the last 16 where they were beaten 2-0 by Switzerland. Spalletti's side seemed to have recovered as they put in an impressive Nations League campaign, beating France 3-1 away and losing just once. They lost at home to the French in the final group game to finish behind France on goal difference. Italy began this year with a 2-1 loss at the San Siro in their Nations League quarter-final first leg with Germany and found themselves 3-0 down at halftime in the return game in Dortmund. Spalletti's side came back to salvage a draw but missed out on a semi-final place and when they fell 3-0 behind at the break against Norway, this time Italy had no reply. The loss left Spalletti's side already facing an uphill battle to secure automatic qualification for next year's World Cup, and after Italy missed out on the last two finals, the Italian football federation (FIGC) decided to act.
![[UPDATED] Unstoppable Marc Marquez wins Aragon Grand Prix to complete perfect weekend](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nst.com.my%2Fimages%2Farticles%2FMOTO-PRIX-ESP-GP_n01-1_1749390005.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
New Straits Times
6 hours ago
- New Straits Times
[UPDATED] Unstoppable Marc Marquez wins Aragon Grand Prix to complete perfect weekend
ALCANIZ, Spain, June 8 (Reuters) - Marc Marquez proved once again that he was the master of the circuit at MotorLand as the Ducati rider won the Aragon Grand Prix from pole to extend his lead in the championship on Sunday. Marquez's brother Alex finished second for Gresini Racing while Marc's teammate Francesco Bagnaia came third as Ducati bikes swept the podium. Marc had completed the perfect weekend last year to win his first race in 1,043 days at the same circuit and he repeated his feat as the polesitter and sprint winner claimed a record-extending seventh MotoGP victory at the track. Such was Marc's dominance this weekend that he became the first rider in 10 years to lead every session -- including warmups, practice and qualifying -- since he did it himself at the German Grand Prix in 2015. "It was an amazing weekend. Leading all the practices, full focus, just full concentration," said Marquez, who now leads Alex by 32 points in the championship. "As I expected, the others got closer and closer every session. In the race, the pace of Alex and Pecco (Bagnaia) was super fast, but it was consistent. (I was) just controlling the race distance. "And the celebration together with my brother was amazing. The best way to come back with full Ducatis in the top." The two Marquez brothers also danced arm-in-arm in front of the home fans sitting in a special stand dedicated to Spain's fastest brothers on two wheels. Heading into the race weekend, the Marquez brothers had also been involved in social media banter over who their mother would support and Marc had the last laugh when he handed her a red Ducati shirt at the winners' circle in the paddock. PERFECT LAUNCH Marc had broken the lap record to take his 99th career pole before claiming a seventh sprint victory of the season on Saturday despite a poor start, but this time he shot off the line with a perfect launch to lead into turn one. Alex stayed in second place but behind them it was KTM's Pedro Acosta who sparred with Bagnaia for third as they constantly swapped positions, using each other's slipstream to overtake, but the more-experienced Bagnaia held on. Up front, Marc continued to set fastest laps as he streaked away with Alex unable to match his pace, as his brother slowly but surely extended his advantage at one of his favourite circuits which has a corner named after him. The younger Marquez sibling was soon looking over his shoulder to see Bagnaia eating up the distance between them while KTM's Brad Binder crashed in fifth place, leaving the crew chief of the struggling team fuming in the pit lane. But Alex quickly found his rhythm to stay in second while Bagnaia fended off Acosta to prevent an all-Spanish podium. Bagnaia, who is third in the championship, now sits 93 points behind Marc.
