Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1543676
vid Almansa claimed his maiden victory by just three-thousandths of a second over Max Quiles, equaling the closest finish in class history. Valentin Perrone (Red Bull KTM Tech3) completed the podium after a fierce scrap behind the leading duo. Polesitter Almansa grabbed the holeshot and fended off Quiles in an early drag race to lead the opening lap. Drama struck quickly, with Ryusei Yamanaka (AEON Credit - MT Helmets - MSI) crashing on lap two and Guido Pini (Leopard Racing) falling on lap three before remounting. By lap five, a lead group of four had expanded to six riders, including rookie to claim back-to-back season- opening victories. Ortola finished fourth ahead of Collin Veijer (Red Bull KTM Ajo), while Celestino Vietti (Sync Group SpeedRS Team) led the next group in sixth. Alonso Lopez (Italjet Gresini Moto2), Daniel Munoz (Italtrans Racing Team), Deniz Oncu (ELF Marc VDS Rac- ing Team) and Ayumu Sasaki (Momoven Idrofoglia RW Racing Team) completed the top 10. Gonzalez takes the early points lead on 25 to Guevara's 20 and Holgado is third on 16. MOTO3 The 2026 Moto3 opener deliv- ered a last-corner classic as Da- Group SpeedRS Team), forcing a second red flag and reducing the contest to a seven-lap sprint. In the final dash, Holgado ini- tially held sway before Guevara struck at turn three. Gonzalez quickly joined the fight, passing Holgado on lap two and lock- ing onto Guevara's rear wheel. The leading quartet—Guevara, Gonzalez, Holgado and Ortola (QJmotor - Pont Grup - MSI)— broke clear. Gonzalez made his decisive move on the penultimate lap at turn seven. Guevara fought back through the following corners and launched one final attempt around the outside at the last turn, but Gonzalez held firm ROUND 1 / FEBRUARY 27-MARCH 1, 2026 CHANG INTERNATIONAL CIRCUIT / BURIRAM, THAILAND ROAD RACE I FIM MOTOGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP P96 In a start/stop, start/stop affair, Manuel Gonzalez (in black) held off Izan Guevara for a morale- boosting Moto2 win.