Muñoz Steals First Moto3™ Win with Last-Corner Pass in Aragon Thriller

Taking a race down to the wire is one thing—seizing victory on the very final bend is another. But that’s exactly what David Muñoz (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) did at the GoPro Grand Prix of Aragon, outfoxing rookie hero Maximo Quiles (CFMOTO Viel Aspar Team) with a fearless move at Turn 18 to claim his maiden Moto3 victory. Meanwhile, Álvaro Carpe (Red Bull KTM Ajo) rounded out the podium, delivering another strong rookie performance, and Championship leader José Antonio Rueda let a chance slip away with a mistake on the final lap, eventually finishing eighth.

Race Start: Rueda Leads Early Frenzy

From the lights-out, Rueda burst into the lead with the holeshot, cruising cleanly through the opening sector. But Quiles rocketed past at Turn 3—overtaking Luca Lunetta (SIC58 Squadra Corse) into second—and immediately slotted onto the Spaniard’s gearbox. Behind them the customary Moto3 freight train formed, with David Muñoz and David Almansa (Leopard Racing) also jostling for position. Up front it was a quartet of clear pace setters by Lap 4, while further back Stefano Nepa’s weekend woes continued when Vicente Perez (LEVELUP–MTA) took him out at Turn 9.

Lap 7 saw the pack reassemble into one big group—though Jacob Roulstone (Red Bull KTM Tech 3) was forced to retire with a technical issue, shrinking the battle for podium contention.

Mid-Race Shake-Up: Lead Swings Widely

By halfway through the 17 laps, Almansa had worked his way to the front, only to be shadowed by Sunday specialist Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia). Carpe, Ángel Piqueras (FRINSA–MT Helmets–MSI), Ryusei Yamanaka, and Joel Kelso all lurked close behind. On Lap 12 the lead changed hands twice: first Lunetta and Muñoz swept past Rueda, dropping him to sixth, then Almansa asserted himself at the head of the field, showcasing the blistering speed that’s marked his weekend.

Final Laps: Muñoz vs. Quiles in Last-Corner Duel

With two laps to go, Quiles held the top spot amid a ten-strong train, but Muñoz refused to yield and powered into the lead at the final corner of the penultimate lap. As riders lined up for one last slipstream battle, Rueda’s hopes evaporated when he misjudged Turn 1 on the last lap, dropping several spots in one fell swoop.

At the final bend, Quiles looked set to hang on—until Muñoz dived up the inside, kept the move clean, and carried his momentum to the finish line. Quiles lunged back on the drag to the line but missed out by a scant 0.050 seconds. Carpe, watching the showdown at close quarters, held third to claim his second rookie podium and cement his growing reputation.

Rest of the Top Ten & Championship Implications

• 4th: David Almansa produced a career-best finish, pressing his case for a maiden podium.
• 5th: Luca Lunetta continued his consistent run around Aragon.
• 6th: Ángel Piqueras scored valuable points, trimming the gap to Rueda in the standings.
• 7th: Joel Kelso threaded his way through for a strong finish.
• 8th: José Antonio Rueda, rueing that final-lap error, settled for eighth.
• 9th: Ryusei Yamanaka held on under late pressure.
• 10th: Cormac Buchanan matched his best career result, just edging out Furusato, who couldn’t quite convert his season-best qualifying into race pace.

Looking Ahead: Mugello Up Next

With Aragon delivering a masterclass in last-corner drama, the paddock now heads to Mugello. Will Muñoz’s breakthrough spark a surge of confidence? Can Quiles finally break through for his first win? And will Rueda rebound from this rare misstep? One thing’s certain: Moto3™ remains wide open, and the Italian hills promise another epic showdown.

See you in Mugello—where anything can happen.

Official MotoGP Press Release