Spanish rider Izan Guevara driving for GasGas clinched his fifth win of the season at the Japanese Grand Prix, marking his second straight Moto3 victory at Motegi. The result widened his lead in the intermediate world championship to 45 points ahead of teammate Sergio Garcia Dols, who finished in fourth place.
In a podium that also featured Italian riders Dennis Foggia and Ayumu Sasaki, Guevara stood atop the standings as Foggia claimed third and Sasaki joined the top four. Sasaki rides for Husqvarna and was already significantly behind Guevara in the title race, while Japan’s own Tasuki Suzuki completed the top five and remained a factor in the championship battle.
Early in the race, Suzuki was surprised by Garcia Dols, who surged to the front from an initial ninth place during the early laps. Guevara experienced a difficult moment after a crash in warm up that damaged his bike, yet he managed to recover and push forward to gain the advantage as the race progressed. In a competitive field, the Spaniard fought back with two rapid laps on the second circuit to reassert the lead, while Ayumu Sasaki pressed hard to keep pace with the leaders on his Husqvarna entry.
Another notable moment came when Guevara, after the warm up incident, finished the first completed lap with a strong move that immediately elevated him in the pecking order. At the head of the field were Guevara, Sasaki, and Foggia, with Sergio Garcia Dols following closely as the main bridge between the leaders and the chasing pack. The race initially packed a dozen riders into a tight group with the best pace spread across the top contenders.
On the opening lap, the field saw a handful of riders drop out. Among them were Carlos Tatay of Spain riding a CFMoto, Japanese rider Kaito Toba on a KTM, Australian rider and Joshua Whatley on Honda. Some riders battled back to the track, while others returned to the workshop with damaged equipment.
With Sasaki taking control of the race early on, the field moved at a brisk tempo. Guevara and Foggia kept pace with Sasaki in a dense pack, while Garcia Dols kept a steady rhythm behind. Jaume Masiá, David Muñoz, and other contenders formed a second line, trying to close the gap and challenge for positions as the laps ticked by. The pace gradually separated the contenders, creating a clear lead group and a trailing pack with several riders unable to match the tempo on the demanding Motegi layout.
The lead trio of Guevara, Sasaki, and Foggia established a practical buffer over the rest of the field, with Sergio Garcia Dols playing the role of the supporting rider trying to bridge the gap. Masiá briefly joined the front quartet before the momentum shifted as the race wore on. The circuit’s long straights and tight corners tested the tires and the riders’ stamina, and the top riders used every strategic option to gain advantage. Guevara extended his lead in the championship as the group fought for podium positions, while Foggia and Sasaki battled to topple him from the top spot.
With four laps remaining, Guevara mounted another push to reclaim the lead from Sasaki, then faced a renewed challenge from Masiá as the Spaniard pressed to close the distance to Guevara. A late surge by Masiá briefly shifted the tactical balance, but his attempt ended in a high-speed collision after losing the front tire, a dramatic moment that fortunately did not threaten his safety. The incident created a renewed gap between Guevara and the pursuit of Foggia and Sasaki, leaving the Italian to reassess his strategy as the checkered flag approached.
Garcia Dols remained in reach of the lead pack but could not overtake the frontrunners. The final standings saw Guevara taking the win with Foggia and Sasaki close behind, while Garcia Dols finished fourth, pushing Muñoz and Moreira further back in the order. The top ten concluded with notable riders such as McPhee, Yamanaka, Migno, and Rossi, with Artigas, Ortolá, and Fernández also locked into the final positions as the race concluded. The result solidified Guevara’s position at the head of the standings and reinforced the competitive dynamic of Moto3 as the season continued toward its conclusion. In analyses from race broadcasts, commentators highlighted Guevara’s resilience after the early setback and his ability to convert a challenging start into a commanding championship lead [Source: DAZN Spain].
Overall, the Japanese Grand Prix delivered a dramatic display of speed and tenacity, underscoring Guevara’s consistency across circuits and his capacity to manage pressure from rivals at the pivotal moments of the race. The event provided a clear snapshot of the ongoing battle for the Moto3 title, with Guevara maintaining the edge while a group of seasoned riders pressed to close the gap in the championship standings.