The Championship race is over as victory for Maximo Quiles (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) secured the Moto3 World Championship for the Spaniard. A glittering campaign of ten wins so far, he led from Lap 2 onwards, pulled out an advantage and never looked back for one of his most dominant wins of the season ahead of nearest challenger David Almansa (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) and Brian Uriarte (Red Bull KTM Ajo).
From P2 on the grid it was a perfect launch to grab the holeshot for Almansa whilst Quiles was already into P2 on Lap 1. However, it was a barnstorming second lap that saw the gloves really come off, with Quiles in the lead as Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing) battled his way into the podium places. The rough and tumble was starting to fragment the group and Almansa was the rider who was paying the price; with title rival Quiles leading, Almansa was down to P8.
On Lap 3, it was Grand Prix done for Casey O’Gorman (SIC58 Squadra Corse) who crashed at Turn 5, whilst teammate Leo Rammerstorfer joined him in a separate incident. Further round the lap, Ryota Ogiwara (CODE Motorsports) came to grief whilst back in the lead pack, Almansa was back into P2 by Lap 5. A mistake by Quiles at Turn 16 gave the chasing pack hope, the gap to chief title rival Almansa down to 1.6s.
Half GP distance complete and things had started to spread out with Quiles 1.5s clear of Almansa, Fernandez and Alvaro Carpe (Red Bull KTM Ajo) who in-turn were 1.6s clear of Rico Salmela (Red Bull KTM Tech3). On Lap 11, disaster for Carpe who tagged the back of Fernandez and crashed at Turn 10 and although the #31 could continue, he was back in the group behind and then made a mistake at Turn 2 a lap later. More drama at the end of the lap, this time for Adrian Cruces (CIP GreenPower) who crashed at Turn 16 but was able to rejoin.
Lap 14 and two seconds out front, Champion-designate Quiles picked up a track limits warning, the #28 had no room for error. With a 2.8s advantage with two laps to go though, he had the margin to relax and keep it wheels in line, despite Almansa’s efforts.
Across the line and doing it in the most Quiles style possible, the Championship leader became the World Champion with a tenth victory of the season and with five rounds remaining. A magnificent campaign going to a deserving World Champion whilst Almansa was a solid second and strengthens his grasp on P2 overall. Third went the way of Brian Uriarte (Red Bull KTM Ajo) after the Spaniard pounced to pass Matteo Bertelle (LEVELUP-MTA) on the final lap.
Maximo Quiles: meet the 2026 Moto3 World Champion!
Salmela matched his career-best result in fifth ahead of home-hero Veda Pratama (Honda Team Asia), whereas Guido Pini (Leopard Racing) resisted teammate Fernandez for P7 at the line but due to a shortcut at Turn 9, was given a Long Lap Penalty equivalent so was P8 in the end. Joel Esteban (LEVELUP-MTA) was ninth whilst Scott Ogden (CIP GreenPower) completed the top ten.
Quiles taking the title with five rounds remaining puts him in an exclusive club of riders who have done that across all classes. Mike Hailwood, Giacomo Agostini and Marc Marquez were the only three that had managed it but now, Maximo Quiles’ name is part of a unique club of riders.
The title race is done but with five rounds still to go, plenty of battles remain in 2026!
Moto3 Grand Prix of Indonesia results