Muñoz Clinches Sachsenring Thriller with Final-Corner Masterclass

David Muñoz (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) stole the show at the Sachsenring in dramatic fashion, clinching victory for the German outfit in a breathtaking final-corner showdown. The Spanish rider timed his move to perfection, diving up the inside of Championship leader Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) in the dying moments of the race. Maximo Quiles (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) also capitalized on the chaos, sneaking past Rueda to claim a hard-fought second in a race that will be remembered for its wild finish.

From the moment the lights went out, the action was relentless. Poleman Scott Ogden (CIP Green Power) got the holeshot, avoiding early drama as Alvaro Carpe (Red Bull KTM Ajo) muscled his way into third behind a fast-starting Muñoz. Carpe’s aggressive lunge into Turn 1 forced Leopard Racing’s David Almansa wide, earning Carpe a Long Lap Penalty for the maneuver. Muñoz, meanwhile, seized the early lead by Turn 12, settling into a rhythm as the field began to stretch out.

As the dust settled, Maximo Quiles found his groove, working his way into third. Not far behind, Angel Piqueras (FRINSA – MT Helmets – MSI), Cormac Buchanan (DENSSI Racing – BOE), and Guido Pini (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) locked into a fierce battle at the sharp end of the field, forming a 15-rider lead group where positions changed constantly.

The attrition rate began to rise. Lap 4 saw separate incidents for Eddie O’Shea (GRYD Mlav Racing) and Leonardo Abruzzo (DENSSI Racing – BOE), both forced out of contention. Just two laps later, Nicola Carraro (Rivacold Snipers Team) suffered a fall at Turn 1, though he managed to remount. One of the most impressive charges came from Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia), who launched an extraordinary comeback from 17th on the grid, climbing into podium contention by Lap 8.

Lap 9 brought more drama when Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing) tangled with Rueda at Turn 2. Fernandez lost his front mudguard in the clash and went down a corner later, exiting the race. Then, on Lap 16, Almansa’s day went from bad to worse as he crashed out at Turn 13 while trying to regain ground, bringing his race to an abrupt end.

With the race entering its final third, the stakes intensified. On Lap 20, Turn 1 became a danger zone again—Kaito Toba ran into the gravel, and moments later, Ogden fell out of the top group. With just two laps remaining, Rueda held the lead, but Muñoz and Quiles were lurking ominously behind, preparing their final moves.

Muñoz attacked decisively at Turn 1 on the penultimate lap, squeezing past Rueda and opening a slim gap. Rueda responded aggressively, reclaiming the lead at Turn 8. But the real fireworks were still to come.

As the leading trio approached the final two corners, Furusato—who had clawed back into contention—slid out of the race, ending what could have been a stunning podium finish. That left the stage clear for a final-corner showdown. Muñoz made a bold lunge up the inside at the last turn, forcing Rueda wide and leaving just enough room for Quiles to slip through into second.

It was a superb second-career win for Muñoz, made even sweeter by delivering it on home turf for the Intact GP squad. Quiles’s late-race poise earned him a stellar second place, while Rueda had to settle for third—though the 16 points helped him further extend his lead in the championship standings, now sitting at 73.

Angel Piqueras battled his way back to fourth, reclaiming second in the title race, just ahead of a recovering Carpe in fifth. Joel Kelso (LEVELUP-MTA) flew under the radar but produced a strong ride into sixth place, followed closely by Guido Pini, who matched his career-best result in seventh.

Jacob Roulstone (Red Bull KTM Tech3) and Cormac Buchanan crossed the line in eighth and ninth respectively, delivering standout performances for the Oceania region—Australia in P6 and P8, New Zealand in P9, with Buchanan (aka “Mac Attack”) marking a personal best in the series.

Marcos Uriarte (LEVELUP-MTA) completed the top ten, while one of the most impressive rides of the day came from Dennis Foggia (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team), who stormed from 24th on the grid to finish 11th—a masterclass in recovery riding.

As the dust settles at the Sachsenring, the paddock looks ahead to the next challenge. See you in Czechia!

Images MotoGP Press