David Almansa holds off Quiles for Japanese GP victory to delay title celebrations

David Almansa claimed his third Moto3 victory of the season with a thrilling triumph at the Japanese Grand Prix, making Máximo Quiles wait at least another week to wrap up the championship title after finishing second at Motegi.

The battle for the win in Japan turned into another gripping duel between Almansa and Quiles, with Almansa coming out on top this time. The pair were separated by a mere 0.046 seconds at the chequered flag, as Quiles pushed hard on the final lap but could not find a way past, having to settle for the runner-up spot.

Álvaro Carpe completed the podium in third, having stayed in the lead group before dropping back in the closing stages to cross the line 2.738 seconds behind the winner. Brian Uriarte narrowly missed out on a podium finish in fourth after his race was compromised by a double Long Lap penalty.

The Spaniard led during the first half of the 17-lap contest but was penalised following a pre-race error by his mechanics. They were caught working on his bike with less than three minutes remaining before the start—a direct breach of the regulations that resulted in Uriarte serving a double Long Lap penalty.

Rico Salmela finished fifth, while Matteo Bertelle, David Muñoz, Ryusei Yamanaka, Joel Esteban, and Adrián Cruces rounded out the top 10. The remaining points positions went to Veda Pratama, Hakim Danish, Adrián Fernández, Valentín Perrone, and Casey O'Gorman.

In the overall standings, Quiles maintains a commanding lead on 326 points, sitting 127 clear of race winner Almansa. Carpe is third, 135 points adrift, while Uriarte retains a slim mathematical chance of the title with six rounds remaining, trailing Quiles by 139 points.

The Moto3 campaign resumes next week at the Mandalika Circuit for the Indonesian Grand Prix, where Quiles will have his next opportunity to secure the world championship.