SEPANG: Malaysian wildcard rider Helmi Azman equalled his 23rd place finish from last year in the Moto2 race at the Petronas Grand Prix of Malaysia today.
Helmi, riding for Petronas MIE Racing RW, started from 29th on the grid from 30 riders but made a good start to the race and moved up to 20th position in the opening lap at Sepang Circuit.
He was able to battle with his group for two-thirds of the 17-lap race but his lap times began to slow in the closing stages of the race.
He crossed the line 23rd, 49.239 seconds behind race winner Celestino Vietti (Red Bull KTM Ajo) who took the flag in 36:06.629s.
OnlyFans American Racing Team's Jorge Navarro came in second (+1.486s) while CFMOTO RCB Aspar Team's Izan Guevara (+3.265s) completed the podium.
Helmi said he was forced to back-off the pace due to a fading rear tyre but was nevertheless pleased with his overall performance.
"I was able to fight with the other riders for the first 12 laps of the race but my tyre started going after that and I struggled to maintain my lap times," said Helmi, who had also received a wildcard for the Moto2 race here last year.
"I am satisfied with my performance in the race because I have given it everything I had from the very first session here on Friday.
"We came here without any testing so it was quite challenging for me to adapt quickly. I am pleased to have improved on my lap times from last season.
"My goal in the race was to just try my best to fight with these World Championship riders. I only race in Cub Prix and the Asia Road Racing Championships so it is a big step up in level for me."
He was the sole Malaysian in the race as fellow wildcard rider Khairul Idham Pawi was declared unfit yesterday.
Khairul sustained a broken hand and injured leg after crashing together with Helmi in qualifying.
Helmi got away with bruising and abrasion wounds and was cleared to race.
"My body was quite sore when I woke up this morning as the crash happened when we were at high speed," added Helmi.
"I could feel it during the race as well but I am not going to use that as an excuse. I remained positive and still gave it my best in the race today."