Back-to-back victories since breaking his collarbone and now with a lead of over 100 points in the standings, there really is no stopping Maximo Quiles (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) as the Championship leader snatched victory in dramatic fashion at Misano. The San Marino GP in Moto3 had been led from the start by polesitter David Almansa (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) and despite the 20-year-old leading every corner of the GP, Quiles managed to blast past him on the run to the line. Finishing on the podium in third, Brian Uriarte (Red Bull KTM Ajo) had the best seat in the house as it unfolded in front of him.
Off the line and it was holeshot to the polesitter as Almansa hit the front from Uriarte whilst a fast-starting Quiles was briefly up into third place before Valentin Perrone (Red Bull KTM Tech3) jumped ahead. It was a disaster for Alvaro Carpe (Red Bull KTM Ajo) who after starting 21st due to penalties, crashed on the exit of Turn 4 on the opening lap. He was able to rejoin but his Grand Prix was effectively over whilst later on Lap 1, Nicola Carraro (Rivacold Snipers Team) and Leo Rammerstorfer (SIC58 Squadra Corse) fell at Turn 14 – both OK but GPs over.
Back in the lead group on Lap 3 and Almansa was into his stride with the fastest lap of the Grand Prix whilst Quiles had muscled his way ahead of Perrone for third. Uriarte gave chase to the #22 out front whilst behind Perrone came Joel Kelso (GRYD Racing), Matteo Bertelle (LEVELUP-MTA) and Rico Salmela (Red Bull KTM Tech3). On Lap 5, Championship leader Quiles was on a mission as he copied his move from Perrone at Turn 13, this time on Uriarte to get into P2. A lap later, Bertelle gave the home fans something to cheer for as he got into P5 ahead of Perrone, who was dropping back after Kelso got him for fourth and soon, he was seventh with teammate Salmela picking him off on Lap 9.
Into the second half of the Grand Prix and there was now a clear battle for the win between Almansa, Quiles and Uriarte and another for P4 led by Bertelle after Kelso made a mistake and dropped to P7 at the start of Lap 10. Bertelle was soon picked off himself though with a mistake at Turn 14 on the same lap allowing Salmela to come through. Up in the podium battle, Uriarte picked Quiles’ pocket at Turn 4 on Lap 11 but two laps later, Quiles pounced at his trademark Turn 13. Two laps later, he was on terms with Almansa; a 1’40.366 not only giving him the fastest lap of the GP but putting him within striking distance of #22.
Four to go and it was the head-to-head we’d seen at Buriram, Goiania, Balaton Park and Aragon: Almansa vs Quiles. Championship leader vs rider who would be second in the standings provisionally and thus Quiles’ chief title rival. It was all building for a last lap showdown but Almansa stood firm through the first overtaking opportunities of Turn 1, Turn 4 and Turn 8. Ultra defensive through Turn 14 and into the last corner, Almansa cost himself drive on the run to the line and Quiles, having not led a single lap or even sector, pinched it from the #22 on the run to the line by 0.021s. 320 corners led by Almansa, only to be pipped in the final 200 metres or so to the line. The Championship leader extending his advantage in the standings but this time over Almansa who despite P2 on the road is P2 in the Championship. Uriarte completed the rostrum, the fourth of his rookie season.
Rounding out the order just behind, another top job by Bertelle sees him the first home-hero to take the chequered flag in fourth whilst Perrone, Salmela and Kelso were just behind. Adrian Cruces (CIP GreenPower) made it back-to-back top tens for the first time in his Grand Prix career with eighth, fending off Marco Morelli (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) and Casey O’Gorman (SIC58 Squadra Corse) completing the top ten.
Another head-to-head between the top two in the Championship but an eighth win of 2026 gives Quiles a lead of 107 points overall, whereas Carpe slips to third overall and is just five points ahead of his rookie teammate Uriarte behind. It’s shaping up nicely with just eight rounds remaining in 2026.