Moto 3 Race Thailand

Almansa edges Quiles in last-corner thriller to claim first Moto3 victory

Moto3 delivered exactly the kind of drama fans expect from the lightweight class as the 2026 season got underway in Buriram. In a race decided by the finest possible margin, David Almansa (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) secured his first Grand Prix win after an intense final-lap fight with Maximo Quiles (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team). The gap at the finish line was just 0.003 seconds, matching the closest finish ever recorded in Moto3 history. Behind the two Spaniards, Valentin Perrone (Red Bull KTM Tech3) completed the podium to claim the first top-three finish of his career.

The result reinforced Moto3’s reputation as the most unpredictable and tightly contested category in Grand Prix racing, where slipstreaming, late braking, and last-corner attacks often decide the outcome.

Almansa converts pole into early control

Starting from pole position after breaking the lap record in qualifying, Almansa made a perfect launch when the lights went out. He held firm into the opening corner and immediately came under pressure from Quiles, who drew alongside on the run toward Turn 3. Almansa defended decisively, ensuring he led the field across the line at the end of the opening lap and established early track position—often crucial at the Chang International Circuit, where long straights create frequent overtaking opportunities.

The opening laps were far from incident-free. On lap two, Ryusei Yamanaka (MT Helmets MSI) crashed at Turn 5, the same corner that had also caught him out during the previous year’s Thai Grand Prix. Shortly afterward, Guido Pini(Leopard Racing), making his debut with a new team, fell at Turn 12. Although he managed to remount and continue, the lost time dropped him well down the order, and he eventually finished outside the points.

These early incidents highlighted the demanding nature of Buriram’s layout. Heavy braking zones combined with high track temperatures make tyre management difficult, especially in Moto3, where maintaining corner speed is essential.

Lead group expands as rookies impress

By lap five, Almansa and Quiles had been joined at the front by Alvaro Carpe (Red Bull KTM Ajo) and Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing), forming what initially looked like a four-rider breakaway. However, the chasing pack quickly closed the gap thanks to the powerful slipstream effect along Buriram’s long straights.

Soon, rookie sensation Veda Pratama (Honda Team Asia) and Perrone had bridged the distance, creating a six-rider lead group separated by barely a second. The Indonesian rookie, already impressive in qualifying, continued to show confidence far beyond his experience level.

Mistakes began to shuffle the order. Carpe ran slightly wide, allowing Fernandez to move ahead, and another small error opened the door for Pratama to climb into fourth. The Honda rider then pushed even harder, overtaking Fernandez to briefly move into a podium position—an extraordinary performance for a rider making his first Moto3 start.

Almansa and Quiles break clear in head-to-head fight

As the race passed the halfway mark, the contest began to narrow. Almansa and Quiles gradually pulled away from the rest of the group, increasing their advantage while matching each other’s pace lap after lap. Both riders consistently lapped in the low 1’41 range, a pace the rest of the field struggled to maintain.

On lap 11, Quiles made his first decisive move for the lead, diving underneath Almansa at Turn 12. It was a calculated pass, giving him control of the race while forcing Almansa to follow and search for weaknesses. However, the lead change was short-lived. Quiles ran slightly wide at Turn 1 on the following lap, allowing Almansa to retake first position immediately.

From that moment onward, the race became a pure duel. Every braking zone, acceleration point, and defensive line was contested. Behind them, Perrone and Fernandez battled intensely for third place, swapping positions as they fought to stay in podium contention.

Final lap delivers historic finish

As the leaders began the last lap, Almansa appeared to have gained a decisive advantage. A small mistake from Quiles exiting Turn 12 left the race leader with roughly half a second in hand—normally enough breathing room to secure victory in Moto3.

But Quiles responded with an exceptional final lap. Using the slipstream to maximum effect and braking later into key corners, he closed the gap rapidly and positioned himself for one last attack. Entering the final corner, he attempted to outbrake Almansa and take the inside line.

Almansa, however, defended expertly. By holding a tighter exit line and maximising acceleration onto the long finishing straight, he gained just enough drive to stay ahead. Quiles tucked in behind, using the slipstream in a desperate attempt to overtake before the line.

The two riders crossed the finish almost side-by-side, with Almansa prevailing by just 0.003 seconds—a margin so small it required a photo finish confirmation. The gap equalled the narrowest winning margin in Moto3 history, underlining just how evenly matched the pair had been throughout the race.

For Almansa, the victory marked a major milestone: his first win in Grand Prix racing and a perfect reward after his record-breaking qualifying performance.

Perrone secures first podium amid fierce midfield battles

While the victory fight captured most of the attention, the battle for third place was equally intense. Perrone timed his move perfectly, overtaking Carpe in the closing stages—including a decisive last-corner pass—to secure his maiden Moto3 podium finish.

Pratama completed an outstanding debut in fifth place, finishing as the top Honda rider and confirming his potential as a future contender. Fernandez crossed the line just behind him in sixth after briefly running inside the top three earlier in the race.

Further back, Brian Uriarte (Red Bull KTM Ajo) finished seventh after a consistent performance, followed by Marco Morelli (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) in eighth. Joel Esteban (Level Up-MTA) and David Muñoz rounded out the top ten, with Muñoz recovering well after starting further down the grid.

Irish rookie Casey O’Gorman narrowly missed out on the top ten in eleventh place, finishing just two-tenths behind Muñoz in another tightly contested midfield group.

Statement victory to open the season

Almansa’s triumph not only gives him an early championship lead but also signals that he could be a major contender throughout the 2026 season. His composure under pressure, particularly in the closing stages, demonstrated maturity beyond his experience level.

The race also showcased the depth of talent in Moto3. Multiple rookies ran at the front, new podium finishers emerged, and the outcome remained uncertain until the final metres.

If the season opener in Thailand is any indication, Moto3’s 2026 campaign promises close racing, new rivalries, and many more dramatic finishes in the months ahead.

Images Official MotoGP