Maximo Quiles (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) is proving increasingly difficult to stop. Fresh from returning from a broken collarbone, the Championship leader has now made it back-to-back victories and extended his advantage to more than 100 points after pulling off a ruthless final-lap victory at Misano.
David Almansa (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) looked destined for victory after taking pole and leading every single lap of the San Marino GP. Quiles spent almost the entire race sitting behind him, close enough to threaten but seemingly unable to find a way through. Then, when it mattered most, the Championship leader read Almansa like a book and struck on the run to the line.
Almansa made the perfect getaway from pole, with Brian Uriarte (Red Bull KTM Ajo) initially slotting into second. Quiles was briefly up to third before Valentin Perrone (Red Bull KTM Tech3) reclaimed the position. Further back, Alvaro Carpe (Red Bull KTM Ajo) had a nightmare start to his recovery from 21st after crashing at Turn 4 on Lap 1. Nicola Carraro (Rivacold Snipers Team) and Leo Rammerstorfer (SIC58 Squadra Corse) also crashed at Turn 14 later that lap.
At the front, Almansa quickly settled into his rhythm and set the fastest lap on Lap 3. Quiles was already working his way forward, passing Perrone before making his move on Uriarte at Turn 13 on Lap 5 to take second.
Behind the leading trio, Matteo Bertelle (LEVELUP-MTA), Joel Kelso (GRYD Racing), Perrone and Rico Salmela (Red Bull KTM Tech3) were locked into their own battle. Bertelle moved into fifth on Lap 6, while Kelso later dropped back after a mistake.
By the halfway point, it was clear that the race had split into two battles: Almansa, Quiles and Uriarte fighting for victory, while Bertelle, Perrone, Salmela and Kelso battled for fourth.
Uriarte briefly found his way past Quiles at Turn 4 on Lap 11, but the Championship leader immediately responded two laps later at his familiar Turn 13. Quiles then began closing rapidly on Almansa, setting the fastest lap of the race with a 1’40.366 and finally getting onto the rear wheel of the leader. With three laps remaining, it was the showdown everyone expected. Almansa versus Quiles and after spending the entire race looking like he couldn’t quite make the move stick, Quiles waited.
Almansa defended all through the final lap before going ultra-defensive through Turn 14 and the final corner. It worked perfectly in terms of keeping Quiles behind — but cost him the drive onto the straight. Quiles didn’t need to lead a single lap. He didn’t even need to lead a sector. He just needed the final 200 metres. The #28 launched alongside Almansa and edged ahead by just 0.021 seconds at the line. It was another masterclass in just how exceptional Quiles’ racecraft is. He didn’t need to lead a single lap or force the issue; he read the race, stayed patient, and knew exactly when to make his move. That ability to see the bigger picture and deliver when it matters is what sets him apart
Almansa had to settle for second, but it was another huge result for the Spaniard and strengthens his position as Quiles’ closest Championship rival. Uriarte completed the podium for his fourth rostrum of his rookie season.
The battle behind was just as entertaining, with Bertelle producing another excellent ride to finish fourth and become the first home rider across the line. Perrone followed in fifth, ahead of Salmela and Kelso. Adrian Cruces (CIP Green Power) continued his impressive run with eighth, making it back-to-back top-ten finishes for the first time in his Grand Prix career. Marco Morelli (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) took ninth, with Casey O’Gorman (SIC58 Squadra Corse) completing the top ten.
It might have been another Quiles victory, but this was anything but a boring one. Almansa did almost everything right, leading from lights to the final corner — only for Quiles to produce yet another reminder of exactly why he is Championship leader.
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