Collin Veijer’s Moto2 race in Qatar ends at the first corner

Collin Veijer endured a disappointing end to the Qatar Airways Grand Prix of Qatar on Sunday. Starting the Moto2 race from fourth on the grid at the Lusail International Circuit, the 21-year-old Dutchman collided with Celestino Vietti at the first corner after making a braking mistake. The incident brought a premature end to what had been a promising race weekend.

Following strong practice sessions and a solid qualifying performance, Collin Veijer headed into Sunday’s 18-lap race full of confidence. The Red Bull KTM Ajo rider made a good start but missed his braking point on the approach to Turn 1. As he braked hard, his rear wheel lifted off the ground, causing him to collide with Celestino Vietti. Veijer escaped uninjured, but his bike was too badly damaged to continue the race.

Collin Veijer: “Of course, I’m extremely disappointed with how things went today. Our speed had been really good throughout the weekend, and yesterday we were also very strong during the long run we completed in preparation for the race. Even on the out-laps before the race, I was already feeling really confident. So I was ready to have a good race, but it only lasted one corner – actually, not even that. I missed my braking point and collided with another rider. Without that contact, I probably would have gone straight on and been able to continue my race. It was an unfortunate situation, but I was the one who caused it. I want to apologise to the team and everyone who supports me. It was a stupid and unnecessary mistake. Lately, I’ve been trying to ride a little more aggressively and improve that side of my racing, but unfortunately, this is also part of the learning process. It’s a tough lesson, but we’ll keep fighting and work our way through it.”

Following his retirement, Veijer remains on 89.5 World Championship points and sits eleventh in the standings with two Grand Prix weekends remaining.

After a short break, the Moto2 World Championship will resume from 20–22 November with the Portuguese Grand Prix at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve in Portimão. There, Veijer hopes to turn his strong race pace into a positive result.