Quiles seals title with Mandalika masterclass
Maximo Quiles is the Moto3 World Champion after a dominant victory at the Indonesian Grand Prix in Mandalika. The CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team rider started from second on the grid but was already in the lead by lap two, pulling clear of the field and never surrendering the advantage. It was one of his most commanding performances of the season and his tenth win of the campaign. David Almansa (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) finished second, with Brian Uriarte (Red Bull KTM Ajo) completing the podium in third.[S1][S2][S3]
Almansa had grabbed the holeshot from pole, but Quiles was into second on the opening lap and took the lead on lap two as the racing intensified. Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing) fought his way into podium contention, while Almansa dropped as low as eighth as the pack fragmented. A mistake by Quiles at Turn 16 briefly gave his rivals hope, cutting his lead to 1.6 seconds, but he managed the gap thereafter. By half distance he was 1.5 seconds clear of Almansa, Fernandez and Alvaro Carpe (Red Bull KTM Ajo), who were themselves 1.6 seconds ahead of Rico Salmela (Red Bull KTM Tech3).[S1]
The race saw several incidents. Casey O'Gorman (SIC58 Squadra Corse) crashed at Turn 5 on lap three, and teammate Leo Rammerstorfer was involved in a separate incident. Ryota Ogiwara (CODE Motorsports) also crashed. On lap 11, Alvaro Carpe tagged the back of Fernandez and fell at Turn 10; he was able to continue but dropped back and made another mistake at Turn 2 a lap later. Adrian Cruces (CIP GreenPower) crashed at Turn 16 but rejoined. Quiles picked up a track limits warning on lap 14, but with a 2.8-second lead two laps from the end he was able to bring it home safely.[S1]
Behind the champion, Almansa strengthened his hold on second in the overall standings. Uriarte took third after passing Matteo Bertelle (LEVELUP-MTA) on the final lap. Salmela matched his career-best result in fifth, ahead of home rider Veda Pratama (Honda Team Asia). Guido Pini (Leopard Racing) crossed the line seventh but was demoted to eighth by a Long Lap Penalty equivalent for a shortcut at Turn 9, promoting teammate Fernandez to seventh. Joel Esteban (LEVELUP-MTA) was ninth and Scott Ogden (CIP GreenPower) completed the top ten.[S1]
A title with five rounds to spare
Quiles' championship is secured with five rounds still remaining in the 2026 season, placing him in a select group of riders who have clinched a world title that early across all classes. Only Mike Hailwood, Giacomo Agostini and Marc Marquez had previously achieved the feat. The title fight is over, but with five rounds left, plenty of other battles remain.[S1]
