Moto3: Uriarte Breaks Through in Mugello Classic

Mugello produced another classic Moto3 showdown, and this time it was Brian Uriarte (Red Bull KTM Ajo) who rose above the chaos. The 17 year old delivered a superb final-lap performance to take his maiden Grand Prix victory, leading home teammate Alvaro Carpe for a Red Bull KTM Ajo one-two. Hakim Danish (AEON Credit – MT Helmets – MSI) completed the podium after an impressive ride from pole position, securing his first Moto3 rostrum.

The drama had started before race day. Qualifying proved costly for several riders, with many leaving their final runs too late and failing to make it back around for one last flying lap before the session ended. Joel Kelso (GRYD – MLav Racing), however, timed his run well and secured a front-row start. David Almansa (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) had claimed pole position, but was later forced to withdraw from the race due to tonsillitis, handing Danish the top spot on the grid.

Credit: Pirelli Press Office

Danish made the most of the opportunity when the lights went out, launching cleanly from the front and leading the field into the opening corners. His time at the head of the race was brief, though, as Kelso quickly attacked and moved into the lead before the first lap was complete. Joel Esteban (LEVEL UP – MTA) also made early progress, passing Danish for second, while Championship leader Maximo Quiles (CFMOTO Valresa Aspar Team) ended the opening lap down in 14th.

The championship leader wasted little time working his way forward. By the fourth lap, Quiles had climbed into the top eight, while Uriarte used Mugello’s famous slipstream to charge into the lead. From that point, the front of the race became a constant rotation, with Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing), Carpe and Quiles all taking turns at the front.

Eddie O’Shea (GRYD – MLav Racing) soon became one of the race’s standout stories. After steadily climbing through the lead pack, he hit the front on Lap 13 to lead a Moto3 race for the first time. The moment did not last long, with Fernandez, Quiles and Kelso all responding quickly, but it underlined another impressive step forward for the Brit who spoke positively of his performance after the race.

At the final corner on the penultimate lap, Quiles suffered a huge rear-end slide that lifted him out of the seat and dropped him outside the top ten. After looking ready to fight for another win, he was suddenly left scrambling to rescue points. As the final lap began, Uriarte chose his moment perfectly. The rookie made his decisive move through the Casanova-Savelli section, taking the lead and then benefiting from the fierce scrap unfolding behind him. While Fernandez, Carpe, Danish and the rest of the group fought for podium positions, Uriarte found clear track at exactly the right time.

He did not waste the chance.

The #51 kept his composure through the final sector and crossed the line to claim his first Moto3 victory, a breakthrough result on one of the most demanding and unpredictable circuits on the calendar. Behind him, Carpe emerged from the late battle in second to complete a dream result for Red Bull KTM Ajo, while Danish held on for a brilliant first podium in the class.

Credit: Gold & Goose / Red Bull Content Pool

Fernandez was shuffled out of the podium places on the final lap and had to settle for fourth, though it still proved a valuable result with Quiles finishing outside the top ten. Esteban came home fifth, with O’Shea taking a career-best sixth despite losing ground in the last-lap fight.

David Muñoz (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) finished seventh, ahead of Veda Pratama (Honda Team Asia), Kelso and Jesus Rios (Rivacold Snipers Team), who completed the top ten.

Just outside the top ten, Quiles salvaged five important championship points in eleventh after his late scare, finishing ahead of Matteo Bertelle (LEVEL UP – MTA) in twelth. Marco Morelli (CFMOTO Valresa Aspar Team) followed in thirteenth after also running wide in the final-corner shuffle, while Scott Ogden (CIP Green Power) claimed fourteenth. Home favorite Guido Pini (Leopard Racing) completed the points in 15th after losing ground late on.

Pos Rider No. Team Time / Gap Pts
1 Brian Uriarte 51 Red Bull KTM Ajo 33:07.801 25
2 Alvaro Carpe 83 Red Bull KTM Ajo +0.418 20
3 Hakim Danish 13 AEON Credit – MT Helmets – MSI +0.456 16
4 Adrian Fernandez 31 Leopard Racing +0.482 13
5 Joel Esteban 78 LEVEL UP – MTA +0.842 11
6 Eddie O’Shea 8 GRYD – MLav Racing +0.970 10
7 David Muñoz 64 Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP +1.069 9
8 Veda Pratama 9 Honda Team Asia +1.081 8
9 Joel Kelso 66 GRYD – MLav Racing +1.085 7
10 Jesus Rios 54 Rivacold Snipers Team +1.091 6
11 Maximo Quiles 28 CFMOTO Valresa Aspar Team +1.202 5
12 Matteo Bertelle 18 LEVEL UP – MTA +1.285 4
13 Marco Morelli 97 CFMOTO Valresa Aspar Team +1.351 3
14 Scott Ogden 19 CIP Green Power +1.569 2
15 Guido Pini 94 Leopard Racing +2.330 1
16 Ryusei Yamanaka 6 AEON Credit – MT Helmets – MSI +5.565
17 Adrian Cruces 11 CIP Green Power +5.596
18 Valentin Perrone 73 Red Bull KTM Tech3 +5.636
19 Cormac Buchanan 14 CODE Motorsports +5.740
20 Nicola Carraro 10 Rivacold Snipers Team +8.904
21 Ruche Moodley 21 CODE Motorsports +9.679
22 Zen Mitani 32 Honda Team Asia +26.357
23 Leo Rammerstorfer 5 SIC58 Squadra Corse +26.435
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