Mario Aji failed to finish the Moto2 race at the Circuit of the Americas, Texas, on Sunday local time after crashing in the closing stages.
The Idemitsu Honda Team Asia rider had been competing inside the points positions before his race ended prematurely in the final two laps.
Late crash ends points hopes
Mario Aji had shown a competitive pace throughout the race and was engaged in a close battle with Adrian Huertas of Italtrans Racing Team.
However, a crash near the end denied him a potential points finish, marking a setback in his 2026 campaign.
The result sees the Indonesian rider drop to 19th place in the Moto2 standings.
Agius claims hard-fought victory
At the front, Senna Agius of Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP emerged victorious after a tense battle with Celestino Vietti.
Izan Guevara completed the podium in third place.
Early race drama shapes outcome
The race initially saw Alonso Lopez take the lead, followed by Barry Baltus and Vietti.
An early incident at Turn 1 involved championship leader Dani Holgado and home rider Joe Roberts, adding to the drama.
Lopez later regained the lead and battled Baltus in the opening laps, but a mistake forced him out of contention.
Baltus also lost ground after receiving a long lap penalty for an unsafe maneuver, reshuffling the order at the front.
Final laps decide the winner
Agius emerged as a leading contender in the closing stages but faced strong resistance from Vietti.
The Italian rider briefly moved into the lead with three laps remaining, setting up a tense finish.
However, Agius responded decisively, reclaiming the lead in the final two laps before pulling clear to secure victory.
Tough outcome for Mario Aji
While the race produced intense competition at the front, it ended in disappointment for Mario Aji.
Despite showing promising pace and consistency, the late crash denied him valuable points and momentum.
The Indonesian rider will now look to regroup and bounce back in the upcoming rounds as the Moto2 season continues.
