The 2026 MotoGP season officially got underway at the Chang International Circuit in Buriram, Thailand. The Moto3 race delivered a dramatic finish, as Máximo Quiles, racing for the CFMOTO Aspar Team, crossed the line just 0.003 seconds behind the winner to claim second place, narrowly missing out on his first victory of the season. The race was won by David Almansa, marking his first win in the Moto3.

In the 19-lap Moto3 season opener, Quiles started from the second row of the grid. Despite having limited experience at the Buriram circuit, the young Spanish rider quickly adapted to the pace of the race and moved into the leading group in the early stages. As the race progressed, he maintained consistent speed and gradually broke away from the main pack alongside Almansa.

In the 19-lap Moto3 season opener, Quiles started from the second row of the grid. Despite having limited experience at the Buriram circuit, the young Spanish rider quickly adapted to the pace of the race and moved into the leading group in the early stages. As the race progressed, he maintained consistent speed and gradually broke away from the main pack alongside Almansa.

The battle between the two riders intensified in the closing stages, On the final lap, Quiles launched an attack into the last corner and briefly took the lead. However, Almansa responded with a strong drive out of the corner, and the pair raced side by side toward the finish line. In the end, Almansa crossed the line just 0.003 seconds ahead, making it one of the closest finishes seen in Moto3 in recent years.

Although victory slipped away by the narrowest of margins, Quiles still secured his first podium of the 2026 season, which also marked the tenth Moto3 podium of his career.

On the other side, CFMOTO Aspar Team rider Marco Morelli also delivered a solid performance. Competing at the Thai Circuit for the first time, Morelli gradually found his rhythm during the race and successfully joined the leading group. He eventually finished eighth, giving the team two riders inside the top 8 and recording his personal beat result in the Moto3 category.

Thanks to this performance, Quiles leaves the opening round second in the riders’ standings, providing a strong start to the new season for the CFMOTO Aspar Team.