Moto3: Piqueras Triumphs in Red Bull Ring Thriller as Yamanaka Seals Team 1-2

Angel Piqueras (FRINSA – MT Helmets – MSI) emerged victorious in a nail-biting Moto3 showdown at the Red Bull Ring, delivering a crucial win that reignites his title charge. In an Austrian classic packed with drama, slipstream battles, and last-lap chaos, the Spaniard held his nerve to take the chequered flag ahead of teammate Ryusei Yamanaka, giving the MSI squad a memorable 1-2 finish.

Completing the podium was David Muñoz (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP), who produced a sensational comeback from 14th on the grid. His relentless charge through the field ensured the championship picture remains finely poised as the season heads into its decisive stretch.

Lightning Start: Piqueras Grabs the Holeshot

As the lights went out, it was Piqueras who made the perfect getaway, snatching the holeshot into Turn 1 ahead of polesitter Valentin Perrone (Red Bull KTM Tech3). The Argentinean rookie tried everything to reclaim the advantage, but Piqueras showed steely determination to hold firm.

That early battle quickly turned into a multi-rider scrap as Maximo Quiles (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) muscled his way to the front. The Spaniard set a strong early pace, leading the pack across the opening laps before the race began to settle into a rhythm.

By Lap 8, the lead group had slimmed to four riders: Yamanaka now spearheading the charge, with Quiles, Piqueras, and Perrone all tightly locked together. Behind them, Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing) was running fifth, closely shadowed by championship leader Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo).

Mid-Race Drama: Perrone Joins the Fight

The race intensity only grew as the laps ticked by. Quiles reclaimed the lead on Lap 10, but Piqueras was glued to his tail, waiting for an opening. By Lap 13, Perrone pounced — slicing into the podium battle and momentarily raising Argentine hopes of a first Moto3 victory in over two decades.

Meanwhile, Fernandez was refusing to give up. With six laps remaining, he had cut the gap to under a second, threatening to turn the four-way fight into a five-rider showdown. But just as he looked set to join the lead group, a costly mistake at Turn 6 saw him tumble back down the order.

That opened the door for others. Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia) produced a spirited late charge, latching onto the leading pack alongside the ever-aggressive Muñoz. Suddenly, the fight for victory became a six-rider dogfight heading into the closing stages.

Final Lap Frenzy: Piqueras Stands Tall

With just three laps remaining, chaos erupted. Quiles ran wide at Turn 6, ceding track position and allowing Perrone to hit the front. But the Argentine’s hopes were dashed as the pack swarmed him in the dying moments, forcing him back down the order.

The last lap was pure Moto3 mayhem. Muñoz barged his way into second after an inspired ride from deep in the pack, while both Quiles and Perrone were shuffled wide in the midfield scuffle. Yamanaka timed his push to perfection, carving through to second place at Turn 9, with Muñoz clinging onto third in the melee.

But out front, there was no catching Piqueras. The Spaniard kept his composure under immense pressure, crossing the line to claim his first victory since Lusail earlier this season and his first podium since Jerez. For his MSI team, the result was even sweeter — a commanding 1-2 with Yamanaka securing runner-up honours.

Results and Standings Impact

• Winner: Angel Piqueras (FRINSA – MT Helmets – MSI)
• 2nd: Ryusei Yamanaka (FRINSA – MT Helmets – MSI)
• 3rd: David Muñoz (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) – sensational recovery from P14

Just behind the podium, Quiles salvaged fourth after his late-race mistake, while championship leader Rueda fought hard to secure a valuable fifth place and limit the damage in the title fight.

Furusato, who had looked set for a podium challenge, was muscled back to sixth in the final corners. Dennis Foggia (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) crossed the line seventh but was later demoted to 13th after failing to serve a Long Lap Penalty for track limits violations. That promoted Perrone to seventh despite his late-race heartbreak.

Rounding out the top ten were Fernandez, Guido Pini (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP), and Alvaro Carpe (Red Bull KTM Ajo).

The Bigger Picture

For Piqueras, this was a crucial return to form after a run of near-misses. His Austrian victory reasserts him as a serious contender in the championship, while Yamanaka’s consistency continues to make him a dangerous threat in the second half of the season.

Muñoz, meanwhile, proved once again why he is considered one of the most aggressive and exciting riders on the Moto3 grid. His podium from 14th on the grid was one of the standout rides of the season.

As the Moto3 circus leaves Spielberg, the title race tightens — and with multiple riders showing the pace to win, the battle for supremacy is far from decided.