Daniel Holgado (CFMOTO Power Electronics Aspar Team) put on a masterclass at Motegi, storming to his second victory of an already remarkable rookie campaign. The Spanish rider hit the front on the second lap, quickly built a commanding advantage, and never looked back. Behind him, Jake Dixon (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) and Diogo Moreira (Italtrans Racing Team) completed the podium, while the championship narrative took another twist: series leader Manuel Gonzalez (LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP) was handed a Long Lap Penalty for a clash with Celestino Vietti (Beta Tools SpeedRS Team), limiting him to fifth place. He now carries a 34-point cushion into Indonesia — but the door has opened slightly wider for his pursuers.
The Start and Early Drama
From the moment the lights went out, the Motegi race promised fireworks. Moreira launched brilliantly from fifth on the grid, slicing past Holgado and emerging from Turns 1 and 2 in the lead. Holgado, who had initially taken the holeshot, slotted into second, while polesitter Gonzalez was immediately on the back foot. The Spaniard found himself bullied through the opening corners and had slipped all the way to ninth by the end of lap one.
On the following lap, Holgado struck back decisively. Diving past Moreira at Turn 3, he reclaimed the lead. Behind them, Tony Arbolino (BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2) and Dixon were positioning themselves for a long afternoon’s fight.
Gonzalez vs. Vietti: The Flashpoint
By lap four, Gonzalez was locked in battle with Vietti, both riders jostling for track position. At Turn 9, Vietti made his move, only for Gonzalez to lunge straight back at Turn 10. The two touched, sending Vietti into the gravel and out of the race. Race Direction wasted little time, handing Gonzalez a Long Lap Penalty for causing the incident. The championship leader pressed on, but the setback meant a long recovery ride lay ahead.
Holgado Escapes, the Pack Battles
While chaos reigned behind, Holgado was disappearing into the distance. By lap six, Moreira’s early fire had faded. Arbolino breezed past him at the start of the lap, and Dixon picked him off at Turn 5 just one lap later. None of them, however, could do anything about Holgado, who was already three seconds clear.
On lap nine, Gonzalez served his Long Lap Penalty, slipping from seventh to ninth. That briefly promoted Moreira to fourth, though the Brazilian soon came under sustained attack from David Alonso (CFMOTO Power Electronics Aspar Team). Meanwhile, Dixon pounced on a small mistake from Arbolino at the end of lap 10, moving into second. By then, though, the Brit was staring at a four-second gap to Holgado.
The Final Phase: Title Stakes Shift Again
With five laps remaining, Moreira made his move, outbraking Arbolino at Turn 7 to reclaim third — an important swing in the title chase with Gonzalez stuck down in seventh. Arbolino’s woes deepened when Alonso dived through at Turn 5 on the next lap, bumping the Italian to fifth.
Gonzalez, though, wasn’t done. The Spaniard began to recover positions, first muscling past Barry Baltus (Fantic Racing Lino Sonego) for sixth, then snatching fifth from Arbolino on the penultimate lap. It was damage limitation, but crucially he stayed in the top five.
At the front, Holgado was in a league of his own. The 19-year-old cruised across the line with more than four seconds in hand to seal his second win in three Grands Prix. Dixon followed him home for back-to-back podiums, while Moreira clung on to third under immense pressure from Alonso, trimming Gonzalez’s points lead in the process.
Results and Title Picture
Arbolino had to settle for sixth, followed by Baltus, Ivan Ortola (QJMOTOR – FRINSA – MSI), Albert Arenas (ITALJET Gresini Moto2) and Collin Veijer (Red Bull KTM Ajo), who rounded out the top ten. Aron Canet (Fantic Racing Lino Sonego) salvaged a single point in 15th, but his already faint title hopes faded further as he now sits 49 points adrift of Gonzalez.
The big picture? Holgado continues to grow in stature with every race, Dixon has rediscovered his consistency, and Moreira is inching closer to a genuine shot at the crown. Gonzalez still has the advantage, but with Indonesia looming, the tension in the Moto2 championship is beginning to boil over.
Images MotoGP
