Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) delivered one of the standout performances of the season, storming from the back of the grid to take a sensational win at the Tissot Grand Prix of the United Kingdom. It marks his third consecutive victory and extends his lead in the Moto3™ title fight in dramatic style.
Despite originally qualifying on pole, Rueda was handed a grid penalty for riding too slowly on the racing line during Q2 after setting his fastest lap—sending him to the very back for the race start. But the 18-year-old Spaniard didn’t let that setback define his day.
In doing so, he joins an elite group of riders who have won from the very back in Grand Prix history—Marc Marquez (Moto2™, Valencia 2012), Brad Binder (Moto3™, Jerez 2016), and David Alonso (Moto3™, Silverstone 2023).
It wasn’t a walkover by any means. Rookie Maximo Quiles (CFMoto Valresa Aspar Team) pushed Rueda all the way, staying locked in a thrilling duel right to the final lap. Though forced to settle for second, Quiles secured his first ever podium finish—a brilliant result in only his debut season.
Luca Lunetta (SIC58 Squadra Corse) completed the podium, staging his own comeback after receiving a Long Lap penalty for contact with David Muñoz (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) earlier in the race.
At lights out, Rueda made an immediate impact, picking off several riders through Turn 1. Up front, teammate Alvaro Carpe nailed the holeshot, leaving a significant gap between himself and the #99, who had a lot of ground to cover.
But typical of Moto3™, a massive lead group soon formed. As the race settled, 12 riders emerged in the front pack, with Rueda already slicing his way to the front of the chasing group by Lap 3. A lap later, he’d bridged the gap and was among the leaders.
With five laps to go, Rueda was up into the top five and began trading positions with the frontrunners. Soon enough, he found himself in the lead—an astonishing charge from last on the grid.
Yet the race was far from over.
Quiles refused to back down, pushing the title leader to the absolute limit. The final lap was a straight shootout between the two, with Rueda and Quiles side by side on the Hangar Straight and again through Stowe. As they approached the final chicane, Quiles went slightly deep—giving Rueda just enough space to dive inside. With a perfectly judged move, the Spaniard edged out the rookie in a breathtaking finish.
It was a remarkable comeback, etching Rueda’s name into a rare class of riders who’ve won from the back in Grand Prix racing.
Quiles’ second-place finish may have felt bittersweet in the moment, but it stands as a major milestone—his first Moto3™ podium. Lunetta, meanwhile, showed resilience to recover from his earlier penalty and secure third.
Further back, Carpe came home just outside the podium places in fourth, followed by Valentin Perrone (Red Bull KTM Tech3), David Almansa (Leopard Racing), Guido Pini (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP), Ryusei Yamanaka (FRINSA – MT Helmets – MSI), Vicente Perez (LEVELUP-MTA), and Nicola Carraro (Rivacold Snipers Team) rounding out the top ten.
There was late drama involving Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia) and Angel Piqueras (FRINSA – MT Helmets – MSI), with Furusato penalized with a Long Lap equivalent and Piqueras crashing out. That reshuffled the lower points positions, allowing Scott Ogden (CIP Green Power) to take P11 on home soil. Furusato was classified 12th, with Jacob Roulstone (Red Bull KTM Tech3), Cormac Buchanan (DENSSI Racing – BOE), and Riccardo Rossi (Rivacold Snipers Team) also scoring points.
With Silverstone delivering yet another dramatic Moto3™ classic, attention now turns to Aragon—home territory for many on the grid. If this weekend was anything to go by, expect more fireworks.
Podium Image: MotoGP
Images @bombercountymedia
