They say fortune favours the bold, and nowhere was that more evident than at Motegi. In a dramatic and weather-tinged Moto3™ contest at the Motul Grand Prix of Japan, David Muñoz (LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP) produced a commanding ride to claim victory, his third of the year. José Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) mounted a late surge to snatch second place, a result that hands him his first championship match point heading into Indonesia. Completing the rostrum was Maximo Quiles (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team), who edged out fellow rookie Valentin Perrone (Red Bull KTM Tech3) in a thrilling final sector scrap to secure his eighth podium of the season.
How the Race Unfolded
From pole position, Rueda launched cleanly, shadowed by Perrone from P2, while local favourite Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia) slotted into third to the delight of the Japanese fans. But the opening laps were anything but straightforward. Joel Kelso (LEVELUP – MTA) wasted no time, lunging past Rueda at Turn 5 on Lap 2, with Muñoz following him through. Moments later, both Quiles and Perrone slipped by as well, pushing the poleman back to fifth. Behind, David Almansa (Leopard Racing) lit up the timing screens with the fastest lap, having sliced through the field after starting from the very back of the grid.
Rain began to sprinkle across parts of the circuit, further spicing up the action. Quiles took advantage on Lap 4 to momentarily seize the lead, but the order at the front shuffled constantly. Kelso’s charge faltered when light contact with Almansa at Turn 10 pushed the Australian off line and dropped him outside the top ten.
By Lap 8, Muñoz had broken clear. The Spaniard held a one-second cushion over Furusato as the rainfall intensified in spots. The chasing pack fractured, with Rueda and title rival Ángel Piqueras (FRINSA – MT Helmets – MSI) buried in ninth and tenth. Perrone, Quiles, and Almansa remained in podium contention.
Heartbreak followed for the home fans on Lap 9. Furusato, running second, was flicked off his Honda in a vicious highside at Turn 2. He managed to remount, only to crash again exiting Turn 5 through the tunnel section. Thankfully, he walked away unhurt but his race was done.
The Decisive Phase
With six laps to go, Muñoz was firmly in control, 1.5 seconds clear of Perrone, who in turn held almost a second over Quiles. Rueda had regrouped into sixth behind the Leopard Honda duo of Almansa and Adrián Fernández, while Piqueras was scrapping outside the top ten.
Then came the twist. Piqueras went down at Turn 10 but swiftly remounted. Even so, the damage was done: the rider second in the championship rejoined in P11 and lost vital ground to Rueda, who was climbing steadily through the order.
Two laps from the end, Almansa’s inspired comeback was cut short by a fall, opening the door for Rueda to join the podium fight. Up front, Muñoz had checked out with a near two-second advantage, leaving Rueda, Quiles, and Perrone to fight for the remaining spoils. Rueda struck decisively at Turn 7, sliding into second, then fended off pressure into Turn 11. Behind, Quiles and Perrone went wheel-to-wheel through Turns 13 and 14. Quiles bravely held the outside line before cutting inside at the next apex to lock down third.
Muñoz crossed the line with daylight to spare, sealing a brilliant Motegi triumph. Rueda’s second place may prove even more significant: it ensures he arrives at Mandalika with the chance to seal the 2025 Moto3 crown. Quiles’ third added yet another trophy to a stellar rookie season.
The Rest of the Field
Adrián Fernández capped a strong day for Leopard Racing in fifth, ahead of Ryusei Yamanaka, who gave the home crowd something to cheer in sixth. Guido Pini (LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP) overcame a double Long Lap penalty to bag seventh. Kelso salvaged eighth after his earlier drama, while Luca Lunetta (SIC58 Squadra Corse) and Dennis Foggia (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) rounded out the top ten. Piqueras, despite his crash, came home 11th but saw his title chances take a serious hit.
The final points went to Jacob Roulstone (Red Bull KTM Tech3), Matteo Bertelle (LEVELUP – MTA) on his comeback ride, Álvaro Carpe (Red Bull KTM Ajo), and Stefano Nepa (SIC58 Squadra Corse).
What’s Next
With the dust settled in Japan, all eyes now turn to Indonesia. Rueda carries the momentum — and the first opportunity to close the deal on the championship — into Mandalika. The question is clear: can the #99 secure the Moto3 crown next weekend, or will Piqueras find a way to keep the fight alive?
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