Will we look back on today’s Moto2 Grand Prix at Misano as the pivotal point in the 2026 title chase? Manuel Gonzalez (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) seized his opportunity by collecting a massive 25 points, as the championship leader clinched his first win since Hungary to turn the title race tide back in his favour. Collin Veijer (Red Bull KTM Ajo) finished P2 to return to podium ways, Barry Baltus (REDS Fantic Racing) bagged P3 despite a Long Lap penalty, as Turn 1 played host to Lap 1 drama involving the entire front row.
Immediately from lights out, your top three on the grid, Senna Agius (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP), Daniel Holgado (CFMOTO Aspar European Privilege Team), and Angel Piqueras (QJMOTOR – Green Power – MSI), were on the floor at Turn 1. And unfortunately, it was the rookie who was at fault. Piqueras, who was late on the brakes up the inside, tagged Holgado’s rear wheel as the latter tipped into the apex, which sent both riders down, and in the wrong place at the wrong time was polesitter Agius. Three frontrunners out of contention at Turn 1. Thankfully all three were on their feet, but for Agius and Holgado, that was a massive blow to their chances of claiming the 2026 title – especially given how the race played out.
Where did that leave us then? Well, Veijer led from World Championship leader Gonzalez, with Ivan Ortola (QJMOTOR – Green Power – MSI) third. Meanwhile, Izan Guevara (BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2) had made solid progress up to P8 on Lap 3, having started P14 on the grid after a six-place grid penalty.
Lap 5 then saw Gonzalez hit the front for the first time. A classic Turn 8 move saw the Spaniard carve past Veijer, as Baltus began dragging himself into the podium fight. The Belgian, who finished P2 at Misano last season, was soon past Ortola and into P3, and both Baltus and second place Veijer were keeping tabs on race leader Gonzalez.
On Lap 13, Baltus' progress was dented. The Belgian was handed a Long Lap penalty for exceeding track limits, and on Lap 16, he took it. And kept P3, but only just. Baltus was now under threat from Ortola, the progressing Guevara, and Alonso Lopez (ITALJET Gresini Moto2), with Italians Tony Arbolino (REDS Fantic Racing) and Celestino Vietti (Beta Tools SpeedRS Team) also lurking.
It left two at the front. Gonzalez vs Veijer for Misano victory honours. Gonzalez had a track limits warning, but a 1.6s gap with three to go looked like the title-chase leader had this one covered. And he did. A huge, momentum-shifting victory for Gonzalez, who beat Veijer by 2.4s to inject fresh life into his championship campaign.
Veijer returns to the podium for the first time since Jerez, and Baltus earns his first podium since the 2025 Malaysian GP despite his Long Lap penalty. Ortola battled hard to keep hold of P4, Arbolino produced a classy comeback ride to P5 from P16 on the grid, a season-best for Arbolino, and it was the Italian who passed sixth place Guevara on the penultimate lap to inflict more damage on the #28’s title hopes. P14 to P6 is a very commendable effort from Guevara, but it's crucial ground lost in the standings.
Vietti was seventh on home turf, with Lopez fading to P8 in the latter stages. David Alonso’s (CFMOTO Aspar European Privilege Team) early Turn 8 error meant the Colombian could do no better than P9, while Alex Escrig (KLINT Racing Team) rounded out the top 10.
32.5 points was the gap coming into the weekend between Gonzalez and Guevara; it’s now back up to 47.5 points. Agius’ huge dose of bad luck sees the Aussie drop to P4 in the standings, 83.5 points away from his teammate now, with Ortola’s P4 propelling the Spaniard to P3 overall.
Next up: Red Bull Ring next weekend. See you there.