In Motegi’s Twin Ring circuit, Ai Ogura, riding a Kalex, claimed a dramatic victory against the sport’s world leaders. The race unfolded with high tension as Arón Canet, also aboard a Kalex and the season’s top contender, encountered a setback that sidelined him early after a collision that knocked him out of contention.
Augusto Fernandez maintained the championship lead, narrowly ahead of Ogura by a slim two points, while Canet slid into third in the standings. The session before the green flag confirmed that Spaniard Manuel “Manugas” González, riding a Kalex, would miss the event after a serious fall during morning practice. He received medical attention in Haga and was advised to rest, with no lasting injuries reported to his shoulder, allowing the rest of the field to test their pace on a demanding layout.
From the outset, Canet attacked from the inside, grabbing the first corner as the group formed. He led the early charge, closely followed by his fellow Spaniard Fermin Aldeguer on a Boscoscuro, and the pair quickly pulled away from the chasing pack. In the opening lap, the lead was established with Canet and Aldeguer pushing ahead of the rest, including Thai rider Somkiat Chantra, who started the chase with determination.
Within the Chantra-led group, the favorites for the race included Ai Ogura and Tony Arbolino from Italy, Jake Dixon from Britain, Cameron Beaubier from the United States, and Alonso López from Spain. Augusto Fernández, the current world leader, was in the mix along with Jorge Navarro, with other strong challengers bidding to close the gap.
Two laps in, Canet had already built a half-second cushion over Aldeguer, while the field bunched behind. By the end of the third lap, Canet was firmly in a podium position, with followers more than a second behind the leading duo. The pace was relentless as Canet established a steady rhythm, the group gradually thinning as the race progressed.
Canet’s uninterrupted march faced one of the sport’s cruel twists when misfortune struck. He crashed on the next lap at Turn 9, ending any chance to fight for the win and opening the door for the remaining contenders to seize victory. The crash disrupted his momentum and left the crowd pondering how the race might unfold from there.
Colt Somkiat Chantra assumed the lead, with Arbolino, López, and Ogura in close pursuit about two and a half seconds behind, while the duel between Dixon and Fernández continued to influence the pace near the front. López again found an opportunity to challenge for victory, seizing leadership in the test around the seventh round after pulling clear of the field. He trailed Ogura by about half a second, with Chantra and Arbolino positioned just behind, while Celestino Vietti, another strong title contender, faced a fall early in the season and found himself far from the points, trying to rebound as the race progressed.
The race demonstrated the unpredictable nature of Moto2, where strategic pace and moments of misfortune can redefine the standings in a heartbeat. Ogura rose to challenge as the race evolved, maintaining poise under pressure and showcasing the speed that has made him a notable figure in the category. As the laps wound down, the battle for the podium and valuable championship points intensified, with every rider pushing to maximize their position on the tarmac and chase the coveted checkered flag.