Diogo Moreira (Italtrans Racing Team) delivered a flawless performance at the Pertamina Grand Prix of Indonesia, dominating from the front and piling more pressure on championship rival Manuel Gonzalez (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP). But just when the Spaniard thought he had salvaged valuable points with second place, the celebrations turned to chaos. Post-race inspection revealed a technical infringement on Gonzalez’s bike, leading to a dramatic disqualification and a zero-point score in Mandalika — a twist that has completely reignited the title battle.
Initially, it was Gonzalez in second and Izan Guevara (BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2) in third, but the DSQ meant Guevara was promoted to P2 — securing his second Moto2 podium and first of the 2025 season. Meanwhile, Aron Canet (Fantic Racing) was the biggest beneficiary of the reshuffle, his heroic charge from outside the top 20 earning him third place and a vital lifeline in the championship chase.
Early Action and Fast Starters
The race began with immediate fireworks. From the lights, polesitter Moreira was beaten into Turn 1 by Guevara, who launched superbly to snatch the early lead. However, the Brazilian struck back just a lap later, reclaiming control with a confident move on Lap 2. Behind them, Daniel Holgado (CFMOTO Power Electronics Aspar Team) wasted no time joining the fight, moving from the middle of the second row into second place by the third lap — another reminder of the Aspar team’s raw pace this season.
Championship leader Gonzalez slotted into fourth, shadowing the front group and managing his tyres as he eyed a late-race attack. Just behind, his teammate David Alonso’s weekend came to an abrupt end with a heavy crash at the penultimate corner. Thankfully, the Colombian escaped injury, but his fall brought a brief scare to the leading pack.
Mid-Race Mayhem and Championship Pressure
By Lap 6, the tension at the front was palpable. Gonzalez and Guevara engaged in a spirited scrap, with the championship leader eventually getting the better of the 2022 Moto3™ World Champion. Yet, chaos struck moments later when Holgado — running in podium contention — tucked the front at Turn 17 and crashed out. His fall left Moreira and Gonzalez alone at the front, separated by just one second and setting the stage for a tactical showdown.
Further back, Canet was the man on a mission. Having started down in 21st, the Spaniard carved through the pack with precision, picking off rivals one by one. By mid-distance, he was up to fourth and lapping as one of the fastest riders on the circuit. Just behind, 2020 Moto3 World Champion Albert Arenas (ITALJET Gresini Moto2) and Fantic Racing’s Barry Baltus were locked in their own intense battle, each fighting for a spot inside the top six.
Moreira Unstoppable, Gonzalez’s Nightmare
As the laps ticked down, nothing could disturb Moreira’s rhythm. His pace was relentless, his lines inch-perfect, and he showed the same composure that brought him his maiden Moto3 win at Mandalika two years ago. Gonzalez could match his times but never close the gap — the margin staying steady at roughly a second until the flag.
Behind the front two, Baltus continued to impress, overtaking Arenas for fifth on Lap 16 to cap a strong afternoon for Fantic Racing. The Belgian looked confident throughout, clearly comfortable in the hot and humid conditions.
When the chequered flag fell after 22 laps, Moreira celebrated a well-earned victory — his second win of the campaign and arguably his most complete ride to date. But the real shock came minutes later in parc fermé, when officials announced Gonzalez’s disqualification due to a technical irregularity. The result sent ripples through the paddock and transformed the championship picture overnight.
Updated Results and New Momentum
With Gonzalez stripped of second, Guevara moved up to P2, claiming his best result of the year and second career Moto2 podium. Canet, meanwhile, was rewarded for his comeback ride with a place on the podium — an incredible turnaround from his P21 grid slot. Baltus finished fourth, completing a brilliant day for the Fantic squad.
Arenas took fifth, his first top-five since Austria in August, while Joe Roberts (OnlyFans American Racing Team) was sixth — a welcome return to form after struggling for results since his Brno victory earlier in the season. Rookie Ivan Ortola impressed once again with a tidy ride to seventh, followed by Collin Veijer (Red Bull KTM Ajo), Jake Dixon (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team), and Adrian Huertas (Italtrans Racing Team) rounding out the top ten.
Title Race Reignited
What looked like a routine points finish for Gonzalez has instead thrown the championship wide open. His disqualification slashes his advantage to just nine points heading into the Australian Grand Prix, with Moreira now carrying all the momentum and Canet firmly back in the hunt.
It’s game on as Moto2 heads to Phillip Island — a circuit that always delivers drama. With just a handful of races remaining, the 2025 title fight is alive and kicking, and after the chaos of Mandalika, no one can predict how this story will end.
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