David Almansa (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) kept his cool when it mattered most to take his third victory of the 2026 Moto3 season at Motegi, surviving late pressure from Championship leader Maximo Quiles (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) in yet another tense head-to-head battle. The pair broke clear of the chasing pack in the closing stages, but despite the best efforts of the #28, it was Almansa who had the final word this time out. Alvaro Carpe (Red Bull KTM Ajo) completed the podium as the three Championship contenders continue to battle it out.
Almansa made the perfect getaway, launching from the front and immediately taking control of the race. Brian Uriarte (Red Bull KTM Ajo) was equally quick off the line and attacked at Turn 5 on the opening lap, but Almansa held firm. David Muñoz (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) settled into third, while Quiles found himself in fourth as he looked to make the most of his first opportunity to wrap up the title.
The lead changed hands on Lap 3 when Uriarte made his move at Turn 3. Almansa tucked in behind his fellow KTM rider with teammate Muñoz close by, while Quiles and Carpe began making their presence felt. Carpe soon moved into third, with Muñoz getting shuffled backwards as the pack started to close in. Quiles struggled this race with a few mistakes with the biggest being at the end of Lap 4, leaving the Championship leader seven tenths away from the three riders ahead. Some championship nerves could have been at play.
By Lap 5, eight riders had formed the leading group. Rico Salmela (Red Bull KTM Tech3) was up to fifth, with Ryusei Yamanaka (AEON Credit – MT Helmets – MSI) and Matteo Bertelle (LEVEL UP – MTA) also firmly in the fight. Muñoz continued to lose ground, dropping to eighth after being passed by Yamanaka and Bertelle in quick succession.
Uriarte was handed a double Long Lap Penalty on Lap 8 after his team worked on his bike on the grid after the three-minute board had been displayed. The penalty dropped the Red Bull KTM Ajo rider out of contention for victory and handed the advantage to Almansa, who suddenly found himself with clear air ahead. The team commented that their was an issue with Uriartes break lever that was found on the sighting lap – yet another reason why a warm up session should be held for all classes. To find mechanical/technical issues and remedy them so as to not risk riders.
By Lap 12, the Quiles was firmly back in the victory fight, he made his move on Carpe at Turn 5, moving into second and immediately setting his sights on Almansa. With the leading pair now clear, it was becoming another classic Moto3 duel with Almansa and Quiles fighting for victory. With five laps remaining, Quiles handed Almansa some breathing room after making another mistake at Turn 8. The error dropped him around a second behind the race leader and back towards Carpe.
Quiles dragged himself back to within half a second of Almansa, while Carpe was left slightly further behind in a safe third. Once again, it was going to come down to the final lap between two riders who have spent much of the season fighting each other at the sharp end. Quiles was right on Almansa’s rear wheel as they entered the final sector, searching for an opening. The first opportunity came at Turn 11, but Almansa was inch-perfect on the brakes and positioned his KTM perfectly to close the door.
Quiles tried again through Turns 13 and 14, but there was simply nowhere to go. Almansa had covered every possible avenue and held his line all the way to the chequered flag to secure his third victory of the year. Quiles had to settle for second, but the result keeps his Championship advantage intact and gives him another opportunity to seal the title next weekend in Indonesia. Carpe’s third place meanwhile gave the Red Bull KTM Ajo rider his seventh podium of the 2026 season.
Despite serving his double Long Lap Penalty, Uriarte produced an impressive recovery to finish fourth. Salmela equalled his career-best result with fifth, while Bertelle brought his LEVEL UP – MTA machine home in sixth. Muñoz recovered to seventh, with Yamanaka taking eighth and enjoying his best result of the season in front of his home crowd.
Joel Esteban (LEVEL UP – MTA) completed ninth, while Adrian Cruces (CIP GreenPower) rounded out the top ten.
Further down the order, Veda Pratama (Honda Team Asia) led the next group home in 11th, finishing just over 21 seconds from the race winner. Hakim Danish (AEON Credit – MT Helmets – MSI) who had a shocking weekend full of crashes, including a huge highside in the Friday practice session followed in 12th, with Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing) 13th, Valentin Perrone (Red Bull KTM Tech3) 14th and Casey O’Gorman (SIC58 Squadra Corse) completing the points-paying positions in 15th.
