“The race was positive, and I spent most of the laps in the group fighting for points. We tried some interesting solutions that allowed us to improve. It was a great day for Aprilia, with Marco's win rewarding all the work we're doing on the development and growth of the bike. I'm happy for everyone and for Aprilia.”
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"Unfortunately, I had contact with Franco Morbidelli, who was overly optimistic at Turn 5 on the first lap, and that broke my front fairing. The steering jammed in the fairing and I couldn't turn properly, so I had to stop and change gear. We rejoined the track and had a great race, with a pace that would have allowed me to fight for the top five today, so it's obviously frustrating. When you start from the back, you always have to deal with potential problems in the midfield, so obviously we need to improve qualifying, as always."
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MOTO2 Diogo Moreira wins, but Manuel Gonzalez takes the title fight to Valencia
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The 2025 Moto2™ title will be decided in the final round of the season, scheduled for next week in Valencia. Championship leader Diogo Moreira's (Italtrans Racing Team) victory in the Qatar Airways Portuguese Grand Prix wasn't enough for the Brazilian to seal the title with a race to spare. Given the sixth-place finish achieved by his closest championship rival, Manuel Gonzalez (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP), the 21-year-old will enter the decisive weekend with a 24-point advantage over his rival. A win is worth 25. A
two-way battle . Starting from pole position, Moreira immediately took the lead at Portimao. However, on the fourth of 21 laps, he was attacked by rookie Collin Veijer (Red Bull KTM Ajo), who took over the lead. During the race, the Dutchman attempted to break away, but was unable to build up much of an advantage. He nearly closed in on a second, but in the final stages he was unable to stem the comeback of Moreira, who overtook him with two and a half laps to go, reclaiming the lead.
The podium Meanwhile, David Alonso (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team) was closing in on the podium, third, and Aron Canet (Fantic Racing), who was slightly behind. In the final lap, the positions remained locked, with the Brazilian winning by just 0.9 seconds over Veijer. The number 80, who started from ninth on the grid, took the final step of the podium. Canet, fourth, finished less than a second behind the winner in a race that had begun uncertainly.
Fifth was Barry Baltus (Fantic Racing), who had dropped back to eleventh place in the early stages. The Belgian took the checkered flag ahead of Gonzalez, who needed a near-miracle in Valencia to turn the tide.
Gonzalez's Sunday . The number 18 was part of the leading group in the early stages. But as the laps went by, the group dispersed, and he was unable to match the pace of the fastest riders. A mistake in the final part of the race, when he went off-track at the first corner, resulted in him finishing almost eight seconds behind Moreira.
Among the Italians, Celestino Vietti (Beta Tools SpeedRS Team) finished thirteenth, having held his own in the leading group in the early stages but then dropped back. Tony Arbolino (BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2) finished outside the points zone, finishing 17th.
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“I'm really happy. We worked really well all weekend. At the beginning of the race, it was difficult to stay focused, but in the final stages I found my rhythm and pushed hard until the end. This win is special because I scored my first podium in the world championship here, and it's fantastic to win at this track. Now I want to finish the season on a high note in Valencia.”
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MOTO3 ™: Quiles secures third win of 2025 at Portimao
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Maximo Quiles (CFMOTO Aspar Team) won the Moto3™ race at the Qatar Airways Portuguese Grand Prix at Portimao, with Angel Piqueras (Frinsa - MT Helmets - MSI) and Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia) also on the podium after a race full of overtaking moves.
Kelso got off to a great start. Joel Kelso (LEVELUP - MTA) started from pole position and was followed by Maximo Quiles (CFMOTO Aspar Team), who was battling for second place in the world championship with Angel Piqueras (Frinsa - MT Helmets - MSI), who was initially fourth behind Joel Esteban (Red Bull KTM Tech3). Shortly thereafter, Piqueras passed his compatriot and slipstreamed into the slipstream of the Aspar team rookie, while after the first two laps, the Australian began to open up a gap.
Early overtaking moves: Kelso maintains the lead, while Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing) leads Piqueras and Esteban, Jacob Roulstone's replacement (Red Bull KTM Tech3). Alvaro Carpe (Red Bull KTM Ajo), Guido Pini (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP), and rookie Casey O'Gorman (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) gain positions, while Quiles loses ground in the early stages.
Halfway through the race , Quiles gains ground and passes Kelso: Piqueras also takes advantage of a mistake made by the Australian. The leading group comprises 11 riders.
Final stages: Everything is decided in the final five laps when Quiles takes the lead ahead of Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia). The rookie sets a strong pace and begins to open up a one-second lead over Piqueras and Furusato. Esteban finished fourth ahead of Carpe, O'Gorman, Kelso, Scott Ogden (CIP Green Power), Adrian Fernandez and Luca Lunetta (SIC58 Squadra Corse).
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“Today I tried everything, I really gave it my all. At the start of the race I felt great, fighting to quickly move up the standings and get to the top positions. It was towards the end of the race that we started to struggle, unable to finish today's race with a good result.”
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"Today's race was complicated. I couldn't find my rhythm on the bike, and although I managed to make up a few positions, I ultimately crashed, which determined the rest of our race. We'll analyze what happened today, with our eyes already turned to Valencia."
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