Team) completed the podium,
his fifth of 2026.
Gonzalez's title hopes suf-
fered a body blow before the
start when a clutch problem
forced him off the grid. He even-
tually emerged from pit lane
nearly 30 seconds behind the
leaders, effectively ending his
challenge for any points.
Guevara converted pole into
the holeshot ahead of Arbolino,
Salac, Ivan Ortola (QJMotor
– JP Financial – MSI), David
Alonso and Daniel Holgado (CF-
MOTO Power Electronics Aspar
Team). The leading trio re-
mained tightly matched through
the middle stages, separated by
just half a second.
Ortola and Alonso gradually
slipped back as Celestino Vietti
(BETA Tools SpeedRS Team)
charged forward, setting three
consecutive fastest laps to join
the battle for fourth.
Arbolino launched an attack
at turn nine with three laps
remaining but ran wide, allowing
Guevara to immediately reclaim
the lead. The mistake gave Gue-
vara enough breathing room to
control the final lap and secure
victory.
Ortola held fourth ahead of
Alonso and Vietti, while Deniz
Oncu (ELF Marc VDS Racing
Team) scored his best result of
the season in seventh. Holgado,
Alonso Lopez and Jose Antonio
Rueda completed the top 10.
After Motegi, Gonzalez leads
on 245.5 points, Guevara has
235 and Ortola 181.5.
Moto3
David Almansa (Liqui Moly
Dynavolt Intact GP) held off
Championship leader Maximo
Quiles (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar
Team) in another thrilling Moto3
showdown at Motegi, claiming
his third victory of 2026. Alvaro
Carpe (Red Bull KTM Ajo) com-
pleted the podium, keeping all
three riders in mathematical title
contention.
Almansa took the holeshot,
but Brian Uriarte (Red Bull KTM
Ajo) moved ahead on lap three
as Quiles and Carpe battled be-
hind. By lap five, eight riders had
joined the lead group, including
home hero Ryusei Yamanaka
ROUND 16 / OCTOBER 2-4, 2026
MOBILITY RESORT MOTEGI / TOCHIGI PREFECTURE, JAPAN
ROAD RACE I FIM MOTOGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
P92
Gonzalez is pushed off the grid,
and his 35.5-point title lead
evaporates right before his eyes.
