The penultimate Moto3™ race of the season delivered another thriller on the Algarve rollercoaster, and this time, it was Maximo Quiles (CFMoto Gaviota Aspar Team) who stole the spotlight. The young Spaniard produced a masterclass in composure and pace, breaking free from the leading group to take a commanding victory — crossing the line more than a second clear of the chasing pack.
Behind him, Angel Piqueras (QJMotor – FRINSA – MSI) put in a determined ride to grab second place, doing exactly what he needed to keep his Championship ambitions for runner-up spot alive. Completing the podium was Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia), who followed up his Malaysian Grand Prix victory with another rostrum — marking the first back-to-back podiums of his Moto3™ career.
Early Drama: Kelso Takes Charge
When the lights went out, Joel Kelso (LEVELUP – MTA) got the perfect launch, immediately seizing control of the race. The Australian looked sharp in the opening laps, fending off early pressure from Quiles and the rest of the front pack. The group stayed tightly bunched through the opening exchanges, swapping positions lap after lap as the slipstream on Portimão’s long main straight kept everyone in play.
On Lap 3, Joel Esteban (Red Bull KTM Ajo) made a brave move into second, only to have a moment of instability at the final corner — a twitch that caused chaos behind him. The small mistake rippled through the pack, and in the shuffle, Quiles momentarily dropped to sixth. By the end of the lap, it was Kelso still leading, but the order behind him had changed completely.
Mid-Race Mayhem and the Turning Point
Kelso held firm for the first half of the race, maintaining a few tenths’ advantage as the chasing group jostled for position. But on Lap 10, the Australian ran wide at Turn 5, leaving the door wide open. Quiles didn’t hesitate — he pounced immediately, sweeping through to take the lead, with Piqueras close behind.
From there, the fight for the podium positions intensified. At one point, five riders ran side-by-side through the middle sector as elbows came out and tempers flared. When the dust settled, Quiles had managed to edge clear, while Furusato slotted into second ahead of Piqueras. But the Spaniard wasn’t done. Showing the kind of racecraft that’s defined his season, Piqueras clawed his way back into the runner-up spot with a decisive pass into Turn 1 on the penultimate lap.
Final Lap: Composure Under Pressure
Heading into the last lap, Quiles had built a gap of over a second, giving himself breathing room while Piqueras and Furusato continued to shadow one another for the remaining podium places. The final tour was smooth and controlled from the race leader — no mistakes, no nerves, just pure precision.
Across the line, Quiles celebrated a brilliant victory — his fourth win of the season, and arguably his most convincing. Piqueras took second to keep his fight for P2 in the Championship alive, while Furusato capped off an excellent weekend with another well-earned third.
Behind the podium trio, Esteban came home in fourth, narrowly fending off rookie teammate Alvaro Carpe (Red Bull KTM Ajo) in a close intra-team battle. Casey O’Gorman, standing in for Dynavolt Intact GP this weekend, impressed with a stellar ride to sixth — the Irish youngster edging Kelso and Scott Ogden (CIP Green Power) in a three-way fight decided on the run to the line.
Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing) and Luca Lunetta (SIC58 Squadra Corse) rounded out the top ten after another typically chaotic Moto3™ showdown.
Championship Picture: One Final Duel Awaits
With just one round remaining in the 2025 Moto3™ season, the fight for second overall remains finely balanced. Piqueras and Quiles head to Valencia — both Spaniards, both on home soil — separated by the slimmest of margins. After today’s statement performance in Portimão, one thing is certain: the stage is set for a dramatic finale.
