Gonzalez Shines at Home with Dominant Jerez Victory, Baltus Earns First 2025 Podium

The perfect weekend on home soil — that’s what Manuel Gonzalez (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) delivered at Jerez.
In a masterclass performance on Sunday afternoon, the Spaniard was simply untouchable, leading from start to finish to not only claim a stunning Moto2™ victory but also retake the Championship lead. Behind him, Barry Baltus (Fantic Racing Lino Sonego) put together a brilliant ride of his own, crossing the line second for his first podium of the 2025 season. Completing the podium, Senna Agius made it a double celebration for the Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP squad after a gritty ride to third.

Lightning Start for Gonzalez

Launching perfectly from pole position, Gonzalez grabbed the holeshot as the lights went out, with teammate Senna Agius slotting in behind him. Albert Arenas (ITALJET Gresini Moto2), who had started on the front row, lost a few positions in the opening chaos. Diogo Moreira (Italtrans Racing Team) made an aggressive move off the line and quickly surged up to second, tucking in behind Gonzalez.

The leading quartet — Gonzalez, Moreira, Agius, and Baltus — immediately began pulling clear, carving out an early 0.8-second gap over Arenas and Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo), who led the next group.

Drama Strikes for the Championship Leader

Further back, it wasn’t the start Aron Canet (Fantic Racing Lino Sonego) would have hoped for. The then-Championship leader found himself down in eighth, trailing Celestino Vietti (Beta Tools SpeedRS Team) in seventh.

Meanwhile, it was heartbreak for CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team, as both of their riders saw their races unravel early. First, Daniel Holgado tangled with teammate David Alonso at Turn 13 and went down. Just a few laps later, Alonso himself crashed at the same spot, taking the unlucky Izan Guevara (BLUCRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2) with him in a messy incident at the Jorge Lorenzo corner. Both riders were out on the spot.

Gonzalez Pulls Away as the Battle Brews Behind

As the race settled, Gonzalez quietly extended his lead. By the end of Lap 11, the Spaniard had a 2.6-second cushion at the front, riding a faultless pace no one could match.

Behind him, Baltus was busy keeping Moreira and Agius at bay. The trio locked in a tense battle for the remaining podium spots, but with three laps to go, Agius made his move. Charging down the hill into Turn 6, the Australian dived past Moreira to snatch third. However, Baltus still had a 1.2-second advantage in second place, and time was running out.

A Perfect Weekend for Gonzalez

There was simply no stopping Manuel Gonzalez. Cool, composed, and lightning-fast, the #18 rider crossed the line with a flawless lights-to-flag victory, sending the home fans into a frenzy. The win not only capped off a dream weekend but also saw Gonzalez reclaim the Championship lead in style.

Baltus secured a well-deserved second, marking a huge milestone with his first podium of the season. As for Agius, he successfully fended off a late challenge from Moreira to claim the final step on the podium — his second visit to the rostrum in 2025.

Strong Finishes and Valuable Points

Diogo Moreira had to settle for fourth after a solid but frustrating afternoon, while Öncü came home fifth, building on his earlier podium finish at the Qatar GP. Less than a second behind the Turk was Albert Arenas, who crossed the line sixth.

Celestino Vietti, leading the Boscoscuro charge, finished seventh, while Aron Canet — struggling to make an impact all race long — could only manage eighth, surrendering the Championship lead in the process.

Jake Dixon (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) took ninth ahead of teammate Filip Salač, with Joe Roberts following them home. Marcos Ramirez (OnlyFans American Racing), Adrian Huertas (Italtrans Racing Team), Collin Veijer (Red Bull KTM Ajo), and Tony Arbolino (BLUCRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2) rounded out the points-paying positions.

Le Mans Up Next!

After an incredible weekend in Jerez, the Moto2™ grid now looks ahead to the next stop: Le Mans.
If the racing is anything like it was in Spain, we’re in for another unforgettable round.
See you there!

Official MotoGP Press Release