A first win as World Champion for Maximo Quiles (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) as the #28 sealed the deal for an 11th victory of 2026. However, the big story was behind as the home crowd cheered on their hero Hakim Danish (AEON Credit – MT Helmets – MSI) who was in the podium battle throughout. Despite his best efforts that went all the way to the last corner, he had to settle for fourth behind Veda Pratama (Honda Team Asia) and Alvaro Carpe (Red Bill KTM Ajo). David Almansa’s (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) P5 sees him extend his gap in P2 in the standings over the chasing pack.
Starting from pole, Quiles snatched the holeshot down to Turn 1 ahead of Carpe and a fast-starting Almansa, who was soon into P2 at Turn 2. He didn’t waste any time hitting the front, leading by Turn 4 from P4 on the grid. Further back, Jesus Rios’ (Rivacold Snipers Team) GP was done with a crash at Turn 2; he remounted and was OK. At the front, it was Almansa led the first lap whilst home star Danish was P4. On Lap 2, he took advantage of Carpe and Quiles’ battling and stormed into P2, sending the home crowd into a frenzy. Behind, Pratama was close in P5 whilst Brian Uriarte (Red Bull KTM Ajo), third in the standings, was battling further back in the pack, aiming to crack the top ten.
At Turn 9 on Lap 3, Matteo Bertelle’s (LEVELUP-MTA) GP ended with a crash whereas at the front, the top five were all covered by half a second with the pack closing up. Two laps later and a change in the lead as Quiles took over at the front from Almansa at the final corner. On Lap 7, Carpe started battling with Almansa, allowing Quiles to break free and Danish to come through at the final corner for third; the #22 was back to fifth soon enough with Pratama in P4 and then third when he cleared the Malaysian. More crashes came; on Lap 8 for Scott Ogden (CIP GreenPower) at Turn 1 and then at Turn 15 for Rico Salmela (Red Bull KTM Tech3). Ogden then crashed at the same corner two laps later, ending the Brit’s GP.
With four to go, Danish pounced on Pratama at Turn 1 to move up into second place whilst Almansa was likewise back in the hunt and dispatched of Pratama; it all changed again a lap later though as the Indonesia and the Spaniard battled hard and pushed home-hero Danish back to fourth. The battle was very much for P2 though as Quiles was three seconds up the road and cruising to victory 11 of the year.
Onto the last lap and Danish got his elbows out to briefly go P2, although he soon found himself back in fifth and with work to do to try and get a home podium. Danish was strong to take fourth from Almansa, pushing him out at Turn 5 and leaving the #22 in P5. He was then into third by Turn 11, getting ahead of Carpe but the #83 retaliated at Turn 14. Throwing everything at it in a last-ditch attempt, Danish went for P3 at the final corner but went wide, allowing Carpe to come back through and break Malaysian hearts.
Quiles made it an 11th win of the year ahead of Pratama, Carpe, Malaysia’s Danish and Almansa – the latter of which extends his lead over third in the standings to 23 with two GPs to go. Joel Esteban (LEVELUP-MTA) rode a solid GP to P6 ahead of Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing), David Muñoz (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP), Uriarte (Red Bull KTM Ajo) and Eddie O’Shea (Gryd Racing) who rounded out the top ten. Elsewhere, first career points for Zen Mitani (Honda Team Asia) in P13 whilst a difficult weekend for Valentin Perrone (Red Bull KTM Tech3) gave him a point in P15.
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Moto3 Grand Prix results from Sepang