Dover’s Jake Dixon lost out on third place to his team-mate when he slowed down on the penultimate lap in Sunday’s Moto2 Malaysian Grand Prix.

Aspar Team racer Dixon started 12th and put in an impressive ride to run in the top three, but as he entered the straight to begin the final tour of the Sepang circuit he lifted off the throttle - allowing Izan Guevara past for his first-ever Moto2 podium.

Race commentary suggested Dixon had miscalculated the distance and slowed believing the race was over when another lap remained as he immediately picked up the pace once Guevara was through at racing speed.

The race was won by Red Bull KTM Ajo’s Celestino Vietti, while MT Helmets MSI’s world champion Ai Ogura - who almost collided with Dixon - was classified 10 laps down.

However, Aspar Team’s third and fourth-place finishes are overshadowed by the Valencia floods disaster. Aspar are based in the city and have launched a fundraiser, with more than €90,000 donated so far.

The season finale was due to be held in Valencia on November 15-17, but the race has been cancelled. As yet another venue is to be confirmed, but Barcelona is a possible alternative.

“It has not been an easy weekend because of everything that has happened in Valencia,” Dixon said.

“It was a great race, I had managed to get to the front positions and I was fighting for the podium, but it has not been possible.

“Now it is time to think about closing the season in the best possible way.”

“I want to dedicate this podium to all the people from Valencia,” Guevara added.

“These two years in Moto2 have been very difficult, but we have never given up. I have always worked with my team to move forward.”