It doesn’t get much more dramatic than this: last lap, final corner, a daring move that decided the race. José Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) pulled off exactly that in Misano, diving past Maximo Quiles (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) in breathtaking fashion to steal victory in the dying moments. The championship leader extended his points cushion with a decisive 25-point haul, giving his title bid serious momentum heading into the upcoming flyaway rounds.
For Quiles, the defeat was heartbreaking but still significant — the highly rated rookie returned to the podium after a string of near misses, while Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing) put in a gritty late charge to secure third. It marked Fernandez’s first trip to the rostrum since Argentina, adding an extra layer of emotion to a pulsating afternoon at the Riviera di Rimini.
Chaos in the Opening Exchanges
The race burst into life immediately, with Joel Kelso (LEVEL-UP MTA) and Valentin Perrone (Red Bull KTM Tech3) trading places three times in as many corners. By the end of Turn 3, Kelso had edged in front, showing early aggression. Behind them, David Muñoz (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) carved through to third before slipstreaming past Perrone into Turn 12, moving up to second. Close behind, Jacob Roulstone (Red Bull KTM Tech3) and Rueda slotted into the early top five.
Within five laps, the front group had swelled to eight riders: Kelso, Perrone, Muñoz, Rueda, Fernandez, Quiles, Angel Piqueras (FRINSA – MT Helmets – MSI), and Roulstone. But the pack didn’t stay stable for long. Muñoz attempted an overly ambitious lunge on Perrone at Turn 4, only to clip the Argentine rider as he shut the door. The contact sent both wide — Muñoz tumbling into the gravel and rejoining down in 19th, effectively ending his victory hopes, while Perrone slipped back to sixth.
Rueda Hits the Front
By Lap 7, Kelso and Rueda had carved a small gap, edging seven-tenths clear of the chasers. Rueda pounced at Turn 8, muscling past Kelso to lead for the first time. The question was whether the Spaniard had enough pace in hand, or whether Kelso — and the fast-charging pack — could respond.
That response arrived quickly. Quiles, oozing confidence, swept past Kelso on Lap 10, though the Australian wasted little time reclaiming the position. The battle tightened further as the top six compressed, while Roulstone began to lose contact, slipping out of podium contention.
Four-Way Fight Becomes Six
With five laps to go, Rueda, Quiles, Perrone, and Kelso had eked out a gap of just over half a second on Fernandez and Piqueras. For Fernandez, every point mattered, and his determination to stay in touch would prove crucial. By the closing stages, it was clear this was a six-rider shootout for glory.
With three laps left, chaos erupted again. Quiles and Perrone swapped second place twice in the opening sector, with Perrone briefly regaining the upper hand. But by the exit of Turn 13, Quiles had surged into the lead, while Perrone slipped from first to fourth in a matter of corners. Suddenly, Fernandez and Piqueras were right back in podium contention as the showdown entered its final lap.
Last Lap Heroics
At half distance on the final tour, Quiles still controlled proceedings, leading from Rueda, Perrone, and Fernandez, with Kelso and Piqueras lurking just behind. Perrone, pushing desperately, ran wide at Turn 13 and dropped out of victory contention. Quiles clung on through Turn 14, but Rueda lined him up perfectly for the Misano circuit’s famous final corner.
In one of the season’s standout moments, Rueda executed a stunning block-pass that left Quiles powerless to respond. The Red Bull KTM Ajo rider powered across the line first, seizing a priceless win that pushed his championship lead to 78 points. Quiles settled for second — frustrated but proving once again why he’s the rookie to watch. Fernandez, meanwhile, held off a late charge to take third, ahead of Kelso and Piqueras. Perrone, less than a second adrift, crossed in sixth.
Fightbacks and Final Points
Despite his earlier drama, Muñoz mounted an impressive recovery to finish seventh from 19th. Ryusei Yamanaka (FRINSA – MT Helmets – MSI), Guido Pini (Dynavolt Intact GP), and Alvaro Carpe (Red Bull KTM Ajo) rounded out the top ten. Roulstone faded to 11th after his strong opening laps, with Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia), Dennis Foggia (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team), David Almansa, and Scott Ogden (CIP Green Power) collecting the final points.
Championship Picture
For Rueda, the victory is another massive step toward Moto3 glory. With a commanding 78-point buffer, he heads to Motegi carrying both momentum and confidence. The flyaway leg of the season promises plenty of drama, but Misano will be remembered as the day he proved not just his speed, but his ability to deliver under maximum pressure.
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