Category: Crew On Two

  • Uriarte Holds His Nerve to Win Sachsenring Showdown

    Uriarte Holds His Nerve to Win Sachsenring Showdown

    If there was any doubt that Moto3 would deliver another thriller before the summer break, Sachsenring quickly put that to bed. Brian Uriarte (Red Bull KTM Ajo) turned pole position into his second Grand Prix victory of the season after fending off Championship leader Maximo Quiles (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) in a tense final-lap duel. Behind them, Matteo Bertelle (LEVEL UP – MTA) left his move until the very end to snatch another podium finish.

    The weekend had already been eventful before Sunday arrived. Quiles escaped a heavy crash at Turn 7 during practice, while Guido Pini (Leopard Racing) suffered a violent highside at the same corner that left Adrian Cruces (CIP Green Power) with nowhere to go. Thankfully, both riders walked away.

    David Almansa’s (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) weekend never really got going. The Spaniard missed Friday’s running after developing a fever, briefly returned for Free Practice 2, but was later forced to withdraw from the remainder of the Grand Prix weekend.

    Qualifying belonged to the rookies. Uriarte secured his first Moto3 pole position ahead of Marco Morelli (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) and Hakim Danish (AEON Credit – MT Helmets – MSI), creating an all-rookie front row. Five rookies filled the top eight on the grid, while Kiwi Cormac Buchanan (CODE Motorsports) celebrated his best qualifying result of the season with 11th.

    When the lights went out, Uriarte wasted no time converting pole into the race lead. Danish initially tucked into second before Morelli muscled his way through at Turn 7, but the opening laps soon produced the first slice of Moto3 chaos.

    At the start of Lap 2, contact between Valentin Perrone (Red Bull KTM Tech3) and Marcos Uriarte (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) sent Perrone crashing out. Joel Kelso (GRYD Racing) and Nicola Carraro (Rivacold Snipers Team) were also forced into the gravel while trying to avoid the incident. Perrone looked sore after the crash but was later seen back in his garage, while Kelso, Carraro and Marcos Uriarte all managed to continue.

    At the front, five riders began to edge away from the rest of the field. Uriarte led the train from Quiles, Alvaro Carpe (Red Bull KTM Ajo), Rico Salmela (Red Bull KTM Tech3) and Morelli, with nobody prepared to give an inch.

    Further back, Casey O’Gorman’s (SIC58 Squadra Corse) race ended with a crash before Scott Ogden (CIP Green Power) also hit the ground a lap later. Ogden managed to restart and continue, Cruces crashed heavily, leaving Joel Esteban (LEVEL UP – MTA) with nowhere to escape. Esteban collided with the fallen machine and both riders slid into the gravel, bringing another heart-in-mouth moment to an already hectic race.

    Pirelli Press Office

    The fight at the front continued to intensify. Carpe looked set to challenge for another podium until one of the biggest saves of the season. A huge moment at Turn 7 almost launched the Red Bull KTM Ajo rider into the air, but somehow he wrestled the KTM back under control. The spectacular save cost him valuable time and dropped him out of podium contention.
    A few laps later it was Uriarte’s turn to make a mistake. Running wide at Turn 2 briefly handed the lead to Quiles, although the Championship leader couldn’t make it stick for long as Uriarte reclaimed first place just a handful of corners later.

    While all eyes were fixed on the battle for victory, Bertelle quietly worked his way into podium contention. The Italian reeled in Morelli and Salmela before moving into fourth with just a handful of laps remaining, putting himself firmly in the fight for the final podium position.

    With four laps to go, Quiles attacked again to reclaim the lead, setting up a fascinating head-to-head between the two title contenders. Every lap they traded fastest sectors, every corner they searched for an opening, but neither rider could break the other.

    As expected, it all came down to the final lap.

    Quiles led across the line to start the last tour but a small front-end moment at Turn 3 proved costly. Uriarte needed no second invitation, diving through into the lead before immediately defending every inch of the Sachsenring circuit.

    Behind them, Bertelle, Morelli and Salmela were locked in their own battle. As the trio powered towards the chequered flag, Bertelle timed the slipstream perfectly to steal third place by just seven thousandths of a second, denying Morelli a maiden Moto3 podium.

    Pirelli Press Office

    Uriarte crossed the line to secure his second Grand Prix victory of the year, while Quiles settled for second. Despite missing out on the win, the Championship leader extended his advantage once again and heads into the summer break firmly in control of the title race. Bertelle completed the podium after another intelligent race, while Morelli narrowly missed out in fourth. Salmela continued his impressive rookie campaign with fifth, matching his career-best Moto3 result.

    Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing) was the highest-finishing Honda rider in sixth ahead of Jesus Rios (Rivacold Snipers Team). Veda Pratama (Honda Team Asia) collected more valuable championship points in eighth, Ryusei Yamanaka (AEON Credit – MT Helmets – MSI) celebrated his first top-ten finish of the season in ninth, and Eddie O’Shea (GRYD Racing) rounded out the top ten.

    Just outside the top ten, Carpe recovered to salvage 11th after his spectacular near-highside. Danish crossed the line 12th ahead of Buchanan, Kelso and Pini, who completed the points-paying positions.

  • WorldSBK: Ducati dominate Donington as Bulega winning run finally ends

    WorldSBK: Ducati dominate Donington as Bulega winning run finally ends

    Iker Lecuona finally broke through to win his first WorldSBK race at Donington Park, but Nicolo Bulega was soon back to his dominant winning ways as Ducati wrapped up two titles only two thirds of the way through the season at the Prosecco DOC UK Round.

     

    Race 1

    When Iker Lecuona sliced into the lead at the start of Race 1, so began a titanic battle that saw the aruba.it Ducati pair spend the virtually the entire race separated by a less than a quarter of a second.  A failed early move at the Melbourne hairpin a handful of laps into the race proved to Bulega he would need to try harder than ever before this year to extend his unbeaten run.

    The next flashpoint came in the closing stages where with three laps to go Bulega got ahead at the turn nine chicane.  Lecuona however was straight back past at Melbourne.  The battle resumed on the next lap where Bulega this time attempted a block pass at the same section of track but Lecuona was wise to it.

    Onto the final lap, it once came down to the penultimate corner at Melbourne hairpin.  Lecuona just had enough traction to fend off Bulega by less than two tenths of a second to win his first WorldSBK race, end Bulega’s run of 25 straight wins stretching back to last October.

    Despite their squabbling on track the rest of the field was very far behind.  Yari Montella (recently renewed with Barni for next season) secured a comfortable podium once he passed Sam Lowes, who ended up battling an impressive Tommy Bridewell for fourth.  Lorenzo Baldassari just held off Alex Lowes for sixth while the other Brits of Jonathan Rea failed to finish and Tarran Mackenzie failed to start the race respectively.

    Montella’s teammate Alvaro Bautista was stuck battling the BMW and Yamaha riders for the lower points places while Jake Dixon ended his first home race in WorldSBK in a lowly 18th, with Rea clearly the fastest Honda rider of the day.

    Race 1 Results

    Image Credit: WorldSBK

     

     

    Tissot Superpole Race

    From second place it was again Lecuona who got the holeshot into Redgate.  But coming through Goddards on the second lap, the Spaniard crashed out and later retired with three laps to go.

    This left Bulega to see off Montella who had also jumped ahead of him at the start.  On lap five of the ten lap affair, Bulega scythed past at the Melbourne hairpin to get back to winning ways while also retaining pole for Race Two.

    After the passing of their team founder, Sam Lowes was able to secure a poignant podium finish.  His brother only just managed to come behind home after his charging teammate Axel Bassani nearly sealed the deal for fourth at Melbourne on the final lap.

    Baldassari was just clear of a sparring Bridewell and Xavi Vierge while Garrett Gerloff denied Rea a point and better grid spot for Race Two in ninth.  Meanwhile, Lecuona would start tenth for the afternoon race but at least he and Bulega had now secured the 2026 Teams’ Championship despite it only being July!

    Tissot Superpole Race Results

    Image Credit: WorldSBK

     

     

    Race 2

    Montella came oh so close to getting around Bulega at Redgate but instead the factory Ducati rider held on and rode off into the distance.  Without Lecuona on the front row to challenge him, it was back to usual for Bulega while his teammate had little difficulty charging through the field from 10th.

    That is until Lecuona encountered Montella.  It took Lecuona barely any laps to get to the final podium position but it would take until the final third of the race before he could pass Montella for second at Goddards with eight laps to go.

    Bridewell’s Ducati engine tragically blew up early on when he was looking at another strong finish.  The battle for fourth therefore was between the Lowes’ brothers before Bassani again went on a charge.  Sam fell to seventh behind an impressive Gerloff while Baldassari and Vierge saw off Bautista for the lower top 10 positions.

    Rea came home 14th and admitted that unlike other rounds this year he had enjoyed himself this weekend on his wildcard outing for Honda.  The BMW’s and Yamaha’s had nothing to shout about nor did the other Honda’s as Ducati romped to the Manufacturers’ Title after just eight of 12 rounds had been completed in 2026.

    Race 2 Results

    Image Credit: WorldSBK

     

     

    Feature Image Credit: WorldSBK

  • Moto3: Penalty-to-Podium Magic

    Moto3: Penalty-to-Podium Magic

    Moto3 once again proved that rules, grid penalties and starting positions are sometimes just polite suggestions. After a weekend full of steward decisions and slow-sector penalties, Hakim Danish (AEON Credit – MT Helmets – MSI) looked at a 12-place grid penalty and decided to treat it more like a minor inconvenience than an actual punishment.

    Starting from 14th on the grid, the Malaysian rookie carved his way through the field to claim his maiden Moto3 victory and become the first Malaysian rider to win in the class since Khairul Idham Pawi back at Sachsenring in 2016. He is also the first Malaysian rider to win in the dry.

    Credit: Pirelli Press Office

    Before the race even began, several riders had been handed penalties after slow sectors in qualifying exceeded 135% of the session benchmark. Danish, Veda Pratama (Honda Team Asia), Rico Salmela (Red Bull KTM Tech3) and Guido Pini (Leopard Racing) all received 12-place grid penalties after repeat offences, while Eddie O’Shea (GRYD Racing), David Almansa (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP), Joel Kelso (GRYD Racing) and Valentin Perrone (Red Bull KTM Tech3) escaped with warnings. Leo Rammerstorfer (SIC58 Squadra Corse) also collected a Long Lap Penalty for dangerous slow riding after interfering with Cormac Buchanan during Free Practice 2. Casual Moto3 weekend things.

    When the lights went out, polesitter David Almansa looked to have nailed the launch, but Championship leader Maximo Quiles (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) had other ideas and stole the holeshot immediately. By the end of the opening lap, it already looked like the front group had no intention of waiting around for the rest of the field. Quiles, Almansa and Red Bull KTM Ajo teammates Alvaro Carpe and Brian Uriarte quickly pulled clear, but there was one rapidly approaching problem in the mirrors. Danish had gone from 14th to fifth by Lap 2 and clearly hadn’t read the memo saying penalties are supposed to make life difficult.

    He wasn’t arriving alone either. Casey O’Gorman (SIC58 Squadra Corse) had followed him through and suddenly a four-rider battle had become six, before Veda Pratama decided he wanted in too. Starting from 20th after his own grid penalty, Pratama quietly appeared in the front group by Lap 5 like he’d simply teleported there. Seven riders at the front, multiple lead changes and everyone swapping places every few corners — Moto3 was doing Moto3 things.

    Almansa briefly reclaimed the lead at Turn 1 on Lap 6, but it didn’t last long. O’Gorman’s race ended with a crash at Turn 9, reducing the front battle back down by one. The lead continued changing hands almost every lap. Uriarte moved to the front before Quiles took over again, while Carpe got aggressive with Almansa at Turn 4 and ran him wide, briefly splitting the pack apart.As the race entered the final laps, nobody looked safe. Almansa was attacking, Quiles was defending like his life depended on it, and Carpe eventually made a mistake that allowed Quiles, Uriarte and Danish to break away slightly.

    Credit” Pirelli Press Office

    Then came the final lap.

    Because of course Moto3 wasn’t going to make things simple.

    Contact between Quiles and Uriarte at Turn 8 opened the door, and Danish immediately threw himself through the gap. Suddenly the rider who started 14th was leading when it mattered most. Five riders went charging towards the final sector looking like they had collectively forgotten braking markers existed. Into the final corner it was practically elbows and fairings everywhere, but nobody was getting close enough to stop Danish.

    From a 12-place grid penalty to standing on the top step, the Malaysian rookie delivered an absolute masterclass.

    Uriarte won the fight for second place ahead of Championship leader Quiles, while Almansa somehow slipped from second to fourth in the final corners despite looking set for another podium. Pratama completed another of the comeback rides of the afternoon in fifth after starting 20th, while Carpe crossed the line sixth after losing ground in the closing laps.

    Further back, Marco Morelli (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) produced an excellent recovery ride from 17th on the grid to seventh, while Joel Kelso secured his best finish of the 2026 season in eighth for GRYD Racing. Scott Ogden (CIP Green Power) collected his second top-ten finish of the year in ninth, with Perrone rounding out the top ten.

    Just outside the top ten, Matteo Bertelle (LEVEL UP – MTA) finished 11th ahead of Adrian Cruces (CIP Green Power), Marcos Uriarte (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP), Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing) and Ryusei Yamanaka (AEON Credit – MT Helmets – MSI), who completed the points-paying positions.

    Elsewhere, it wasn’t the easiest afternoon for everyone. Eddie O’Shea and Rico Salmela crashed out on the final lap, while Nicola Carraro, Rammerstorfer, O’Gorman and Joel Esteban also failed to make it to the chequered flag.

  • WorldSBK: Bulega masterful in Misano

    WorldSBK: Bulega masterful in Misano

    Nicolo Bulega put in one of his most dominant performances of the 2026 World Superbikes season to extend his winning run into the second half of the season as Iker Lecuona and Yari Montella took assured podium finishes of their own.

     

    Race 1

    Having taken pole with a lap record, Bulega lost the lead to teammate Lecuona for half a lap but soon reasserted himself in what turned out to be an uneventful World Superbikes race.  Lecuona – fresh from a stunning MotoGP wildcard last weekend – had to settle for a distant second as the top brass from Ducati watched on from the paddock.

    Starting in third, Alex Lowes dropped behind Montella and Lorenzo Baldassari at the start.  He then came under pressure from his teammate Axel Bassani who eventually got past, with the two doing battle on track just after signing new contracts with Bimota for 2027.

    The Bimota duo ended up fighting for fourth after Baldassari crashed out for the third race in a row at turn five.  Sam Lowes slid out at the same corner shortly afterwards.

    Alberto Surra came home sixth ahead of top Yamaha finisher Andrea Locatelli, the returning Miguel Oliveria and a charging Alvaro Bautista.  Oliveria’s temporary teammate Michael van der Mark crashed out with three laps to go, as did Remy Gardner.

    Race 1 Results

    Image Credit: WorldSBK

     

    Tissot Superpole Race

    Bulega successfully held the lead at the start unlike yesterday.  Locatelli made the best start getting up into seventh while Lecuona, Montella and Alex Lowes ran in formation between second and fourth.

    Sam Lowes crashed out again early on before Bridewell lost his bike at the start of lap three and thankfully no one else collected it.  Alex Lowes’ bike broke down on lap five just as Surra passed Bassani for the inherited fourth place and then Vierge crashed out too.

    Locatelli had fallen to eighth and enjoyed a great all-Italian battle with Baldassari mid-race.  Surra went wide in the closing stages and very nearly lost out to Oliveria while Tarran Mackenzie did well to round out the top nine for the grid spots in the afternoon race.

    Tissot Superpole Race Results

    Image Credit: WorldSBK

     

    Race 2

    Lecuona edged in front through the first chicane as Axel Bassani leapt up into third while Montella went backwards.  Just like yesterday’s race however, Bulega punished his teammate later on the first lap and rode off into the distance.

    Stefano Manzi ran into the back of Bautista while Mackenzie put a stunning move on Locatelli for sixth.  Montella eventually recovered into fourth but struggled to oust his compatriot Bassani from third before the latter crashed out at turn eight with just five laps to go and a podium in sight.

    That left Montella free to take his third straight podium finsih ahead of Alex Lowes, an impressive Mackenzie, Surra, Locatelli and Gardner with one of his best results of a torrid 2026 season in eighth having started 13th.

    Michael van der Mark did well to repel Sam Lowes who started at the back following his crash in Superpole for ninth and the two were practically side-by-side across the finish line.  Up front, it was another record-extending victory for Bulega and will surely now only be a matter of time until he wins this year’s title and earns his much anticipated MotoGP move.

     

    Race 2 Results

    Image Credit: WorldSBK

     

    Championship Standings

    Image Credit: WorldSBK

     

    Feature Image Credit: WorldSBK

     

     

  • Moto3: Quiles, Almansa and Carpe Shine

    Moto3: Quiles, Almansa and Carpe Shine

    Before the lights had even gone out in Hungary, the Moto3 paddock had already been thrown into drama. On Friday, Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing), who had been running third in the Championship, was disqualified from the first six Grands Prix of the season after engine seal irregularities, reshuffling the standings before the weekend began. Brian Uriarte (Red Bull KTM Ajo) was also removed from the Catalunya results after his oil failed post-race checks due to assembly fluid being present. Add in David Almansa’s (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) return from illness, having missed Mugello despite originally taking pole, and Hungary arrived with no shortage of storylines before lights went out in the Grand Prix.

    Once attention turned to qualifying, it was Almansa who delivered the perfect response to his recent setback. A week after withdrawing from the Italian GP through illness, where he had been due to start from pole, the Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP rider returned to the top with a 1’45.686 at Balaton Park. In hospital on Wednesday and putting it on the front row on Saturday, these guys really are built different. Almansa and Championship leader Maximo Quiles (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) were in a class of their own throughout qualifying, pulling more than half a second clear of the chasing pack and separated by just six hundredths. Uriarte came through Q1 and made it count to complete the front row for Red Bull KTM Ajo.

    When the race finally got underway, Almansa launched perfectly from pole and grabbed the holeshot ahead of Quiles, immediately recreating the early-season duel that had shaped the opening rounds. Behind them, however, chaos arrived almost instantly.

    At Turn 2, Guido Pini (Leopard Racing) crashed after contact with Matteo Bertelle (LEVEL UP – MTA), with Joel Esteban (LEVEL UP – MTA) also caught up in the incident. More drama followed at Turn 5 when Ruche Moodley (CODE Motorsports) collided with Hakim Danish (AEON Credit – MT Helmets – MSI). Moodley’s race was over before the first lap was complete, while Danish was able to rejoin after a trip through the pits, only to later receive the black-and-orange flag.

    Credit: Pirelli Press Office

    Once the first laps were completed, Almansa and Quiles began to edge away at the front, while Valentin Perrone (Red Bull KTM Tech3) and Rico Salmela (Red Bull KTM Tech3) slotted into third and fourth. Salmela soon moved into the final podium position at Turn 5 on Lap 4 and set off in pursuit of the leading duo. Behind the front four, the recovery rides were already in motion. Alvaro Carpe (Red Bull KTM Ajo) and Muñoz, both starting from the sixth row, were carving their way through the pack and had quickly placed themselves back into contention. By Lap 7, the change for the lead arrived as Quiles made his move on Almansa at Turn 9.

    Into the second half of the race, the battle for victory became increasingly settled. Quiles continued to edge away setting the fastest lap, while Almansa held a comfortable advantage over the pack behind. The real fight was for the final podium spot, where Carpe, Muñoz, Perrone, Salmela and Uriarte all became locked together. Carpe’s ride from 18th on the grid was one of the performances of the race. After starting deep in the pack, the Red Bull KTM Ajo rider forced his way into the podium battle and eventually moved into third. With five laps remaining, Quiles had stretched his lead over Almansa to more than a second, while the scrap behind them only grew more intense.

    By the final lap, Uriarte had moved ahead of his teammate into fourth and was chasing Muñoz. Then came a frightening end to the race. Contact between Carpe and Muñoz on the exit of Turn 11 triggered a multiple-rider incident involving Muñoz, Perrone and Uriarte. Muñoz crashed directly in front of Perrone and Uriarte, with both riders unable to avoid contact, both running over the Spaniard. The red flag was shown just half a lap from full distance.

    Credit: Rob Gray (Polarity Photo)

    With the race result declared, Quiles returned to the top step of the podium and extended his Championship advantage with a composed victory at Balaton Park. It was his second consecutive Moto3 win in Hungary, but unlike some of his recent triumphs, this one came without a last-lap battle. Almansa finished second, marking his first podium since his Buriram victory and a strong comeback after the disappointment of missing Mugello. Carpe completed the podium after a superb charge from the sixth row, keeping his bike upright despite the late incident.

    Uriarte was classified fourth, ahead of Salmela, who secured a career-best fifth place. The result was also Finland’s best Moto3 finish since Niklas Ajo’s fifth place at Mugello in 2014. Adrian Cruces (CIP Green Power) delivered an excellent ride to sixth, converting his career-best qualifying into a career-best race result.

    Marco Morelli (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) came home seventh, with Jesus Rios (Rivacold Snipers Team) finishing eighth as the top Honda rider. Casey O’Gorman (SIC58 Squadra Corse) claimed ninth, while Fernandez rounded out the top ten after a turbulent week for both rider and team. Just outside the top ten, Scott Ogden (CIP Green Power) took 11th ahead of Joel Kelso (GRYD Racing), Esteban, Cormac Buchanan (CODE Motorsports) and Bertelle, who completed the points-paying positions.

    David Muñoz was taken to a local hospital for full checks, with his team later confirming on social media that he had sustained fractures to his pelvis and was undergoing surgery on Sunday evening. Hopefully he will have a speedy recovery and be back in the paddock later in the season.

    Pos Rider No. Team Time / Gap Pts
    1 Maximo Quiles 28 CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team 33:39.745 25
    2 David Almansa 22 Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP +3.147 20
    3 Alvaro Carpe 83 Red Bull KTM Ajo +7.037 16
    4 Brian Uriarte 51 Red Bull KTM Ajo +7.194 13
    5 Rico Salmela 27 Red Bull KTM Tech3 +7.374 11
    6 Adrian Cruces 11 CIP Green Power +19.231 10
    7 Marco Morelli 97 CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team +20.276 9
    8 Jesus Rios 54 Rivacold Snipers Team +24.202 8
    9 Casey O’Gorman 67 SIC58 Squadra Corse +27.130 7
    10 Adrian Fernandez 31 Leopard Racing +27.266 6
    11 Scott Ogden 19 CIP Green Power +27.450 5
    12 Joel Kelso 66 GRYD Racing +27.492 4
    13 Joel Esteban 78 LEVEL UP – MTA +27.730 3
    14 Cormac Buchanan 14 CODE Motorsports +28.570 2
    15 Matteo Bertelle 18 LEVEL UP – MTA +30.442 1
    16 Veda Pratama 9 Honda Team Asia +33.461
    17 Ryusei Yamanaka 6 AEON Credit – MT Helmets – MSI +33.592
    18 Eddie O’Shea 8 GRYD Racing +36.542
    19 Leo Rammerstorfer 5 SIC58 Squadra Corse +43.876
    20 Zen Mitani 32 Honda Team Asia +45.158

     

    Status Rider No. Team Laps
    Not Classified Valentin Perrone 73 Red Bull KTM Tech3 19
    Not Classified David Muñoz 64 Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP 19
    Not Classified Hakim Danish 13 AEON Credit – MT Helmets – MSI 12
    Not Classified Nicola Carraro 10 Rivacold Snipers Team 9
    Not finished 1st lap Ruche Moodley 21 CODE Motorsports
    Not finished 1st lap Guido Pini 94 Leopard Racing
  • Moto3: Uriarte Breaks Through in Mugello Classic

    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
  • WorldSBK: Rivals fall short as Bulega aces Aragon

    WorldSBK: Rivals fall short as Bulega aces Aragon

    Despite spending most of the Tissot Superpole Race in fourth and teammate Iker Lecuona keeping him honest in the final race, Nicolo Bulega asserted his dominance over the 2026 season once again at the Aragon Round.


    Race 1

    Bulega kept Lecuona at bay at the start and would continue to do so for the rest of Race One.  Just behind, Sam Lowes lost out to his brother Alex but by the start of the next tour was back in front.

    37-year-old Tommy Bridewell ran in fifth and did a great job to repel Lorenzo Baldassari until the end.  Behind came Yari Montella and Axel Bassani.

    These top eight positions would remain the same throughout the race.  BMW stand-in Hannes Soomer retired early as did Alvaro Bautista with brake problems.

    Four Yamaha bikes were racing each other until Andrea Locatelli crashed out at turn 14 early on.  The bike slid past the apex of the following corner but thankfully was avoided by those behind.

    Garret Gerloff, Tarran Mackenzie and the other BMW substitute Michael van der Mark disposed of the remaining Yamahas who continued to fall down the order.  Meanwhile, Bulega took a controlled victory from pole for 20 consecutive race wins and looked in little doubt to extend that run on Sunday.

    Race 1 Results

    Image Credit: WorldSBK

     

    Tissot Superpole Race

    Alberto Surra was this time able to start from where he qualified on the front row after a penalty in Race One.  Surra would make it into second on the first lap as Bulega (electing for a harder rear tyre than most) ran wide on the exit of the first corner and Lecuona took the lead.

    Surra pressured Lecuona for the lead and he snatched it briefly on lap two while further back Locatelli and Mackenzie took each other out on lap two as Bulega fell behind Sam Lowes to fourth.  Sam made it into the lead on lap three with an aggressive move that was so harsh on Lecuona he let him straight back through.

    The action was thrilling with Bulega still trapped in fourth and for the first time all year there was a lead pack of several bikes.  Sam moved cleanly in front at the start of lap five but Bulega had started to recover by this stage.

    Although Bulega made it into the lead on lap six he lost it twice as Lecuona, Sam Lowes and even Lorenzo Baldassri got involved for the win before crashing out on the penultimate tour.  By lap eight Bulega looked to have asserted himself but Lecuona sneaked by again at turn 15 then the positions changed back once more and were not settled until the final lap in the former’s favour.

    Tissot Superpole Race Results

    Image Credit: WorldSBK

     

    Race 2

    After easily the best WorldSBK race of 2026 earlier in the day when Bulega looked vulnerable on a harder tyre (that ultimately still paid off), hopes were high for Race Two.  Lecuona edged ahead briefly at the last corner on the opening lap but Bulega nonetheless controlled the pace to land a 22nd consecutive victory.

    Baldassari and Vierge crashed at turn one and Soomer slid out early on just as he had in Race One.  Sam Lowes ran safely in third as his brother Alex repelled Surra and his teammate Bassani for fourth.

    Bridewell was the meat in a Barni Spark Ducati sandwich while Gerloff and van der Mark ran behind them in the same pack.  Meanwhile, Mackenzie circulated 12th ahead of trio of despondent Yamaha’s and Chantra secured a point in 15th due to attrition while his teammate Jake Dixon’s comeback was cut short as he was ruled out of competing on Sunday.

    Surra slid back to seventh and Bridewell to ninth as Montella retired after a crash at turn nine but his teammate Bautista at least made progress.  The biggest mover though was Gerloff who followed Bautista climbing through the lower top ten positions and after a great battle prevailed for sixth.

    Race 2 Results

    Image Credit: WorldSBK

    Championship Standings

    Image Credit: WorldSBK

    Feature Image Credit: WorldSBK

     

     

  • Quiles Keeps Control in Barcelona

    Quiles Keeps Control in Barcelona

    Barcelona delivered the Moto3 battle we have been waiting for, but even in the middle of the slipstream chaos it was Maximo Quiles (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) who once again found the answer. The championship leader timed his charge to perfection, survived a final-corner attack from David Muñoz (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP), and claimed a third consecutive victory to extend his advantage to 64 points after six Grands Prix.

    Before the race had even begun, there had already been drama in the lightweight class. A number of riders received warnings for one or more slow sectors in excess of 135% of the best session time, with most avoiding further punishment as it was their first offence. For Casey O’Gorman (SIC58 Squadra Corse), however, it was a second offence, earning the Irishman a 12-place grid penalty.

    When the lights went out, polesitter Brian Uriarte (Red Bull KTM Ajo) made a superb launch and immediately grabbed the holeshot. Behind him, Quiles was forced to fight in the pack, battling with Hakim Danish (AEON Credit – MT Helmets – MSI) as the front group began to form.

    Gold & Goose / Red Bull Content Pool

    As expected at Barcelona, the slipstream quickly became the deciding factor. The long run down the front straight kept the lead group tightly bunched, with Uriarte, David Almansa (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP), Muñoz, Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing), Danish, Jesus Rios (Rivacold Snipers Team), Quiles, Alvaro Carpe (Red Bull KTM Ajo), Valentin Perrone (Red Bull KTM Tech3) and Veda Pratama (Honda Team Asia) all locked into a frantic battle. It was a refreshing change from much of the season so far, where Quiles’ dominance has often left the field chasing shadows. This time, the championship leader had to be patient. He sat in the group, allowed the fight to unfold around him, and waited for the right moment to strike.

    Quilez did not need to control every lap. Instead, he stayed calm, stayed close, and with five laps remaining began to move himself into the podium fight. One lap later, Quiles hit the front for the first time. He was unable to hold the lead immediately, with Almansa, Muñoz, Uriarte and Danish all still firmly in contention, but the message was clear. The #28 had arrived when it mattered.

    The closing laps became a classic Moto3 scrap. Riders continued to attack and counter-attack, with the podium places changing constantly as the pack thundered through the final sector. Jesus Rios was one of the standout performers and looked firmly in the podium fight before his race ended cruelly at Turn 10 on the penultimate lap.

    Rios was not the only rookie to impress. Uriarte backed up his pole position with a composed and aggressive ride to finish fourth, while Danish produced one of his strongest Grand Prix performances yet on his way to seventh. Both narrowly missed out on the podium, but their pace and racecraft offered another glimpse of just how exciting this rookie class could become in the coming years.

    Gold & Goose / Red Bull Content Pool

    At the front, Quiles began the final lap with the lead, but the fight was far from over. The championship leader defended through Turn 5 and again at Turn 10, leaving Muñoz with one last opportunity at the final corner. Muñoz launched a bold move up the inside, briefly snatching the lead in a dramatic last-corner attack. For a moment, it looked as though the victory might be stolen away. But a front-end moment on the exit cost Muñoz the drive he needed, allowing Quiles to power back past on the run to the chequered flag.

    Behind them, there was one final twist. Carpe, who had started down in 13th, produced a perfectly timed run to the line to snatch second from Muñoz, completing an all-Spanish podium for the second time this season. Uriarte crossed the line in fourth for his best Grand Prix result to date, with Almansa completing the top five. Marco Morelli (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) came through to finish sixth, while Danish secured seventh after a strong ride inside the lead group.

    Pratama was the leading Honda rider in eighth, ahead of Fernandez in ninth. Fernandez remains second in the championship standings, but now sits 64 points adrift of Quiles after another damage-limitation result. O’Gorman completed the top ten after recovering well from 24th on the grid following his penalty.

    Just outside the top ten, Eddie O’Shea (GRYD – MLav Racing) continued his strong points-scoring form in 11th, finishing just over five seconds from victory. Valentin Perrone (Red Bull KTM Tech3) followed in 12th, narrowly ahead of Adrian Cruces (CIP Green Power), Matteo Bertelle (LEVEL UP – MTA) and Ryusei Yamanaka (AEON Credit – MT Helmets – MSI), who completed the final points-paying positions in 15th.

    Barcelona finally gave Moto3 a proper group battle, full of slipstreaming, late moves and rookie promise. Yet even when the race refused to follow the usual script, the final line remained familiar: Quiles under pressure, Quiles composed, Quiles victorious.

    Pos Rider No. Team Gap/Time Points
    1 Maximo Quiles 28 CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team 32:28.964 25
    2 Alvaro Carpe 83 Red Bull KTM Ajo +0.094 20
    3 David Muñoz 64 Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP +0.098 16
    4 Brian Uriarte 51 Red Bull KTM Ajo +0.128 13
    5 David Almansa 22 Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP +0.552 11
    6 Marco Morelli 97 CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team +0.581 10
    7 Hakim Danish 13 AEON Credit – MT Helmets – MSI +0.623 9
    8 Veda Pratama 9 Honda Team Asia +0.984 8
    9 Adrian Fernandez 31 Leopard Racing +1.011 7
    10 Casey O’Gorman 67 SIC58 Squadra Corse +1.151 6
    11 Eddie O’Shea 8 GRYD – MLav Racing +5.236 5
    12 Valentin Perrone 73 Red Bull KTM Tech3 +9.805 4
    13 Adrian Cruces 11 CIP Green Power +9.853 3
    14 Matteo Bertelle 18 LEVEL UP – MTA +9.909 2
    15 Ryusei Yamanaka 6 AEON Credit – MT Helmets – MSI +9.951 1
    16 Joel Esteban 78 LEVEL UP – MTA +10.008
    17 Rico Salmela 27 Red Bull KTM Tech3 +10.074
    18 Joel Kelso 66 GRYD – MLav Racing +10.785
    19 Scott Ogden 19 CIP Green Power +18.949
    20 Ruche Moodley 21 CODE Motorsports +20.287
    21 Guido Pini 94 Leopard Racing +21.969
    22 Zen Mitani 32 Honda Team Asia +27.942
    23 Leo Rammerstorfer 5 SIC58 Squadra Corse +27.991
    24 Cormac Buchanan 14 CODE Motorsports +40.082

    Title photo credit: Pirelli Press office

  • WorldSBK: Lecuona looms but Bulega still on top at Most

    WorldSBK: Lecuona looms but Bulega still on top at Most

    The 2026 Czech Round at Autodrom Most saw Nicolo Bulega under serious pressure from his ever-improving teammate Iker Lecuona while Yari Montella finally secured the podium finishes he had crashed out of more than once already this season, but the ultimate outcome up front was all too familiar…

    Race 1

    The race was immediately red-flagged on lap one when Danilo Petrucci crashed at turn 13 and the BMW rider needed stretchered out of the gravel trap.  With Miguel Oliveria already absent and Michael van der Mark back to replace him this weekend, BMW may need not one but two replacement riders for the next round in just two weeks time, with Petrucci ruled out of Sunday’s action in the Czech Republic… just like Alvaro Bautista who crashed at the same place earlier in the weekend.

    On the restart, Alberto Surra and Sam Lowes provided the entertainment for the first few laps before they came together at turn 15.  Surra was docked with a long-lap penalty which spoiled another impressive run in his debut season while a livid Sam Lowes was knocked out of the race and the podium hunt.

    Profiting from the incident were a rejuvenated Garrett Gerloff with his best WorldSBK result in a long time with fourth for Kawasaki.  Axel Bassani was fifth and his teammate Alex Lowes put on a charge after a poor qualifying to rise to seventh a long way behind Lorenzo Baldassari but prevailing over Andrea Locatelli and the penalised Surra.

    Montella stayed on the bike – unlike in previous rounds where he was running well – and was rewarded with a podium that should have come much earlier in the season.  Up front having unsurprisingly dispatched Montella for second, Lecuona was promisingly keeping Bulega honest as the race progressed.

    Unlike in the first race at Assen where he pounced on Bulega’s mistake when the rain failed, this time around Lecuona caught and passed Bulega with no external factors.  With eight laps still to go Lecuona was right on the back wheel of his teammate and next time around got past at the turn one/two sequence.

    Lecuona then had to perform some block passes over the thrilling final laps of the race, but Bulega ultimately retook and held the lead in time to stretch a one-second gap on the last lap.  Finally the Italian has a genuine competitor in 2026 but importantly Bulega still has the upper hand and his unprecedented winning streak continues.

    Race 1 Results

    Image Credit: WorldSBK

    Tissot Superpole Race

    Bulega immediately went wide at turn one which allowed Lecuona into the lead and set up a fight for the win… which lasted for half a lap.  Once Bulega struck back he was able to repel his teammate for another victory and guarantee pole for the afternoon race.

    Also at the start, Sam Lowes crashed out while Axel Bassani and Locatelli had to take to the escape road and bypass the first two turns.  Montella settled in third and Gerloff ran as high as fourth before slipping back behind Baldassari (who nearly made it to the podium) and Surra.

    Bahattin Soguoglu’s engine blew up at halfway but thankfully the race was not affected.  The three BSB champions came rounded out the top nine that sets the grid for the full-distance afternoon race while Bulega came home two seconds clear out front.

    Tissot Superpole Race Results

    Image Credit: WorldSBK

    Race 2

    For almost the first half of the race, there were six Ducati’s in the top six.  The order at the front was once again Bulega, Lecuona, Montella and Baldassari – the latter coming close to the podium again and who broke free from one of the most interesting battles of the season so far behind him.

    Gerloff and Surra spent the majority of the race locked in a thrilling duel for fifth.  They came together twice before Gerloff finally won out, with their battles allowing the Bimota duo to close in once they had dispatched of Tarran Mackenzie.

    Mackenzie slid out with a small error with seven laps to go, as Locatelli and Bridewell fought all the way to the line over ninth.  Sam Lowes slowly made progress from his poor grid position but spent most of his time battling the struggling Yamaha’s.

    As in Saturday’s race the fight for the lead was closely contested by the factory Ducati duo.  Although this was the closest Lecuona (or anyone) has come to beating Bulega this year, the Italian demonstrated he still has the upper hand and sealed a narrow victory.

    With the rumours of a MotoGP switch for 2027 intensifying and both Montella and Surra putting on an audition to replace him, the Superbike World Championship finally enjoyed a competitive weekend of racing at the sharp end in 2026. Ultimately however, the end result was all too familiar as Bulega took another record-extending treble victory.

    Race 2 Results

    Championship Standings

    Image Credit: WorldSBK

    Feature Image Credit: WorldSBK

  • Moto3 Mayhem at Le Mans

    Moto3 Mayhem at Le Mans

    Treacherous conditions at Le Mans produced a survival test in Moto3, but through the chaos it was Maximo Quiles (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) who once again emerged in complete control. The championship leader delivered a composed wet-weather masterclass, leading every lap to claim consecutive victories and strengthen his advantage at the top of the standings.

    The race began under unusual circumstances after an entirely dry weekend was suddenly interrupted by rain before lights out. Race Direction officially declared the Grand Prix wet, opening pit lane for 10 minutes prior to the start so riders could gain valuable experience in the changing conditions.

    Gold & Goose / Red Bull Content Pool

    Quiles immediately seized command with a brilliant launch off the line, surging into the lead before the field had even completed the opening sector. Behind him, the race unraveled rapidly. Brian Uriarte (Red Bull KTM Ajo) became the first rider to crash after losing control at Turn 2, while David Muñoz (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) slid out moments later at Turn 3. The opening lap chaos continued when Cormac Buchanan (CODE Motorsports) suffered a violent highside exiting Turn 7.

    The wet circuit continued to catch riders out as the race settled. Casey O’Gorman (SIC58 Squadra Corse) crashed after making early progress through the field, while Valentin Perrone (Red Bull KTM Tech3) and Joel Kelso (GRYD – MLav Racing) also became victims of the slippery conditions.

    At the front, however, Quiles looked completely unfazed. Lap after lap, the Spaniard steadily extended his lead while rivals behind him struggled simply to stay upright. Championship contender Alvaro Carpe (Red Bull KTM Ajo) saw his race end in the gravel at Turn 10, while Marco Morelli (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) briefly rose into second position before crashing out just corners later.

    Those incidents elevated Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing) into second place, with Matteo Bertelle (LEVEL UP – MTA) moving into podium contention despite earlier serving a Long Lap Penalty. Fernandez settled into a comfortable rhythm in the closing stages, while Bertelle secured his long-awaited return to the rostrum.

    By the chequered flag, Quiles had built a margin of nearly two seconds to complete another commanding performance and extend his championship lead to 46 points. Fernandez finished runner-up for his second podium in succession, while Bertelle celebrated his first top-three result since Austin in 2025.

    Gold & Goose / Red Bull Content Pool

    Further behind, Veda Pratama (Honda Team Asia) continued his impressive form with fourth place, while Joel Esteban (LEVEL UP – MTA) stormed from 20th on the grid to fifth after an outstanding recovery ride. Guido Pini (Leopard Racing) recovered from a disappointing Jerez weekend with sixth, and Adrian Cruces (CIP Green Power) delivered a strong home performance in seventh.

    Elsewhere, Eddie O’Shea (GRYD – MLav Racing) celebrated a career-best ninth-place finish, while Uriarte somehow managed to recover from two separate crashes to still leave Le Mans with a championship point.

    Just outside the top ten, Valentin Perrone (Red Bull KTM Tech3) recovered from an earlier crash to finish 11th ahead of Ryusei Yamanaka (AEON Credit – MT Helmets – MSI). Marco Morelli (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) salvaged 13th despite his late fall from podium contention, while Leo Rammerstorfer (SIC58 Squadra Corse) claimed 14th. Remarkably, Brian Uriarte (Red Bull KTM Ajo) fought back from two separate crashes to secure the final championship point in 15th.

    Pos Rider Team Gap/Time Points
    1 Maximo Quiles CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team 24:41.640 25
    2 Adrian Fernandez Leopard Racing +1.888 20
    3 Matteo Bertelle LEVEL UP – MTA +4.227 16
    4 Veda Pratama Honda Team Asia +7.659 13
    5 Joel Esteban LEVEL UP – MTA +10.916 11
    6 Guido Pini Leopard Racing +17.707 10
    7 Adrian Cruces CIP Green Power +20.164 9
    8 David Almansa Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP +20.893 8
    9 Eddie O’Shea GRYD – MLav Racing +21.075 7
    10 Hakim Danish AEON Credit – MT Helmets – MSI +21.847 6
    11 Valentin Perrone Red Bull KTM Tech3 +26.119 5
    12 Ryusei Yamanaka AEON Credit – MT Helmets – MSI +26.193 4
    13 Marco Morelli CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team +32.602 3
    14 Leo Rammerstorfer SIC58 Squadra Corse +33.641 2
    15 Brian Uriarte Red Bull KTM Ajo +34.968 1
    16 Zen Mitani Honda Team Asia +43.820 0
    17 Ruche Moodley CODE Motorsports +44.174 0
    18 David Muñoz Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP +95.800 0