Máximo Quiles Misses Thai Moto3 win 

CFMOTO Aspar Team opens 2026 with double top-eight in Moto3 while Holgado claims Moto2 podium in dramatic Buriram weekend.

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Máximo Quiles came within three thousandths of a second of claiming his first Moto3 victory of 2026 after a last-lap showdown at the Chang International Circuit. 

The CFMOTO Aspar Team rider was the only challenger able to match the pace of race winner David Almansa in a gripping season opener. After a calculated and demanding 19-lap battle, Quiles crossed the line in second place, just 0.003 seconds behind, in one of the closest finishes in Moto3 history.

Starting from the second row, Quiles quickly adapted to a circuit he was racing at for the first time. The Spaniard placed himself in podium contention from the early laps and maintained a consistently strong rhythm throughout the race.

As the field thinned out, the victory became a head-to-head contest between Almansa and Quiles. Waiting patiently for his opportunity, Quiles launched an attack in the final corner and briefly looked set to steal the win. However, the sprint to the line favoured Almansa by the narrowest of margins.

Despite the heartbreak, Quiles secured his first podium of the year, and his tenth in Moto3, underlining his credentials as a serious contender in 2026.

Career-Best for Morelli

Team-mate Marco Morelli also delivered an impressive performance in Buriram. Making his first appearance at the Thai circuit, Morelli steadily climbed through the field to join the lead group in challenging high-temperature conditions.

Managing tyre wear and race strategy effectively, the Spanish-Argentinian rider finished eighth, his best result to date in the Moto3 World Championship and a strong start to his campaign with CFMOTO Aspar Team.

Holgado on the Moto2 Podium

In the Moto2 category, Dani Holgado completed a positive weekend by finishing third in a race disrupted by multiple red flags.

Starting from the front row, Holgado briefly took the lead in the opening laps before an early crash involving team-mate David Alonso and several others forced the race to be stopped.

After the restart, Holgado remained competitive, but a second stoppage reduced the race distance to just seven laps. The shortened format limited his ability to recover positions and mount a stronger charge for victory, ultimately settling for third, his first podium of the season.

Alonso, meanwhile, was taken to the medical centre following his heavy crash. Examinations confirmed no fractures, although the Colombian rider remains sore from the incident.

Strong Start for Aspar

With a Moto3 podium, a career-best top-eight finish and a Moto2 podium, the CFMOTO Aspar Team leaves Thailand with momentum heading into the next round. If Buriram is any indication, Quiles and company will be firmly in the mix throughout the 2026 campaign.