Moto3 endured a turbulent build-up in Goiânia, with practice and qualifying littered with both highside and lowside crashes as riders struggled to find consistency. Many in the paddock noted the unusual grip levels, even suggesting the circuit felt more predictable in wet conditions than in the dry. That set the stage for an unpredictable Sunday, and with a rookie lining up on the front row, the ingredients were all there for a dramatic and wide-open race.

The race itself mirrored the chaos of the weekend which was packed with bold overtakes, but also interrupted by a string of crashes. Proceedings were eventually halted with a red flag after a fall for Scott Ogden (CIP Green Power) left his bike in a position that couldn’t be cleared safely. He wasn’t alone in hitting trouble, with Leo Rammerstorfer (SIC58 Squadra Corse), Joel Esteban (LEVEL UP – MTA) and David Almansa (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) all crashing out, the latter unfortunately sustaining a fractured elbow.

The race restarted with a 5 lap dash to the chequered flag and Máximo Quiles (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) grabbed the holeshot and took victory in Goiânia, the 18-year-old emerging on top after a dramatic contest. Two rookies took the next two spots with Quiles teammate, Marco Morelli having pushed him all the way settled for second, securing his maiden Moto3 podium, while Veda Pratama (Honda Team Asia) etched his name into the history books with a breakthrough third-place finish—Indonesia’s first podium in Grand Prix racing.

Quiles made no mistake on the restart, grabbing the holeshot once again as Carpe, Fernandez and Pini battled fiercely behind. There was more drama at Turn 4 when Jesus Rios (Rivacold Snipers Team) collided with Matteo Bertelle (LEVEL UP – MTA), both riders escaping unhurt. Morelli capitalised to move into second, while Salmela remained firmly in contention inside the top five. Also unclassified was Ruche Moodley who received the black and orange flag (aka meatball) and pulled off the track.

On the final lap, Morelli closed rapidly on his teammate and was right on Quiles’ rear wheel heading into the final sector. Despite the pressure, Quiles held his nerve to seal victory and take over the championship lead. It was a dominant 1-2 for Aspar, with Morelli second, while Pratama secured a historic third for Indonesia. Carpe and Pini completed the top five, with Salmela sixth—marking Finland’s best Moto3 result since 2014. Perrone, Fernandez, Casey O’Gorman (SIC58 Squadra Corse) and Danish rounded out the top ten.

Brian Uriarte (Red Bull KTM Ajo) took eleventh place comfortably with Joel Kelso (GRYD – MLAV Racing), Adrian Cruces (CIP Green Power), Ryusei Yamanaka (AEON Credit – MT Helmets – MSI) and Eddie O’Shea (GRYD – MLav Racing) battled it out – all finishing within a second of each other to round out the points scoring positions.

Moto3 – Goiânia (Race 2)

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