Rueda Steals Misano Glory with Last-Corner Stunner

Jose Antonio Rueda [Red Bull KTM AJO] pulled off the kind of move that defines champions, diving up the inside at the final corner in Misano to snatch a dramatic Moto3 victory. The Red Bull KTM Ajo rider denied Maximo Quiles [CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar] what looked like a sure win, extending his already commanding lead in the standings as the paddock now heads to the flyaways. For Quiles, it was heartbreak but also a strong second place that reinforces his rapid rise in his rookie season, while Adrian Fernandez [Le0pard Racing] returned to the podium in what is turning out to be a challenging season with a hard-earned third.

The opening laps set the tone for what would become another Moto3 classic. Joel Kelso [Levelup-MTA] and Valentin Perrone [Red Bull KTM Tech3] were locked in combat right from the first corner, David Muñoz [Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP] battled for the podium places and Jacob Roulstone [Red Bull KTM Tech3] also fought at the front in the opening laps. True to form David Muñoz pulled off an agressive move early in the race running himself and rookie Valentin Perrone out wide closing the door on both riders podium hopes.

At the front, Rueda capitalised, making his first move for the lead on Lap 7. The Spaniard was instantly on the offensive, showing the confidence of a championship leader. Quiles wasn’t about to let him escape. The Aspar rookie cut through the group, first picking off rivals before turning his attention to Rueda and Kelso. On Lap 10, Quiles launched a bold move to snatch second from the Australian, only for Kelso to strike back immediately. The top six were glued together, Fernandez and Piqueras hanging onto the tail of the fight while Perrone regrouped after his earlier clash.

The closing stages saw the intensity rise with every corner. With five laps left, four riders—Rueda, Quiles, Kelso and Perrone—were slightly clear, a quartet that seemed destined to decide the podium. Fernandez edged ever closer as Piqueras slipped back, unable to quite bridge the gap when it mattered most. The final two laps delivered the fireworks. Quiles muscled his way into the lead through Turns 12 and 13, Perrone briefly climbed to second, and Rueda found himself shuffled back before regrouping.

It all came down to the last lap. Quiles led across the line with Rueda shadowing him, Perrone still in the mix but under pressure. At Turn 13 Perrone ran wide, ending his hopes of victory. That left Quiles to defend through Turn 14, but Rueda had planned his attack to perfection. Carrying more speed into the final corner, he dived underneath his rookie rival and made the move stick, crossing the line just over a tenth clear to claim one of the most decisive wins of his season.

Behind them, Fernandez’s persistence was rewarded with third, denying Kelso by a fraction. Angel Piqueras [Frinsa – MT Helmets – MSI]  settled for fifth, while Perrone slipped to sixth, less than a second from glory showing how close this Moto3 battle was. Muñoz recovered superbly from his early aggressive mistake to finish seventh, ahead of Ryusei Yamanaka [Frinsa – MT Helmets – MSI], rookies Guido Pini [Liqui Moly Dynavold Intact GP] and Alvaro Carpe [Red Bull KTM Ajo], who rounded out the top ten.

Rounding out the points were Jacob Roulstone and Taiyo Furusato [Honda Team Asia] in eleventh and twelth. Just behind them was Dennis Foggia [CFMoto Gaviota Aspar Team] and David Almansa [Le0pard racing]. Scott Ogden took the final point in fifteenth.

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