CFMOTO Aspar are Team Champions again
CFMOTO Aspar are Team Champions again
The Lusail International Circuit switched on the lights for the 20th round of 2026 MotoGP and the third consecutive weekend of action as the world championship headed to the re-arranged Grand Prix of Qatar for the sole ‘night race’ on the calendar. Moto3 #1 Max Quiles took his CFMOTO Aspar machine to 3rd to increase his season statistics to 17 podiums for the year. In Moto2 Daniel Holgado rode brilliantly for his second victory of the campaign.
The weather was hot and windy for race day. Moto3 lasted for 16 laps and as the sun started to dip. Quiles made a poor start and hovered in 7th at one stage on the first lap before recovering his speed to push up to 2nd while clearly battling an issue with his technical setting. A small mistake with four laps to go dropped Max to P3 and then he had to nurse the motorcycle to the flag. 3rd place still represents the seventeenth time he has opened podium Prosecco, and the seventh in a row. Morelli rode to the final GP point in 15th.
Max Quiles: “I tried to make a good start but in the first braking zone I thought ‘something is not right here’. I kept pushing and ended-up learning a lot. The bike wasn’t doing what I needed or wanted and I was fighting it. We have to see the cause – maybe it was my fault! – and we’ll analyse with the team. I always want to win so I was angry but it’s more important to keep this feeling for the next race and go again.”
CFMOTO Aspar are Team Champions again after achieving the distinction in 2024. Quiles’ litany of trophies and the 141 points and 3 podiums contributed by Marco Morelli have helped with the superior total. With the Riders and Teams titles in the bag, 2026 has been another outstanding Grand Prix campaign for the company.
Moto2 gave cause for optimism, considering the race-winning potential of both David Alonso and Daniel Holgado in Sepang just seven days prior. Holgado set the pace on Friday and through the first Free Practice and Practice session (the latter dictating the direct entry to Q2 qualifying on Saturday). Alonso was less than half a second slower. After Q2 qualification Daniel held the 3rd fastest lap for the front row of the grid while David lined-up P12.
The race allowed the teammates to lap close together in 2nd and 3rd. Holgado moved forwards, passed Alonso and then hunted the rear wheel of Alex Esrig. He seized control with four laps to go and eased to his first win since the Brazilian Grand Prix, the fourth Moto2 success of his career and the seventh podium of the term. Alonso made sure of 4th.
Daniel Holgado: “I don’t have words at the moment and I am super-happy with the race in general and also the weekend: very strong. Thanks to my team for the amazing job. The bike today was amazing; the best [setting] of the year. See you in two weeks in Portimao.”
Alonso and Holgado are divided by only 11 points in the Moto2 world championship rankings. Daniel is currently 4th and David sits 5th. There is a maximum of 50 points left to win in 2026 and the gap from Holgado to 3rd in the list holds at 4.5.
The Grand Prix of Portugal has found a regular home at the Algarve International Circuit in Portimao since the turn of the decade. The undulating and sweeping layout on the country’s southern coast will stage the penultimate contest for MotoGP this year.
Results Moto3 Grand Prix of Qatar
1. David Almansa (ESP) KTM, 33:09.479
2. Adrian Fernandez (ESP) Honda +2.516
3. Maximo Quiles (ESP) CFMOTO Aspar Team +2.585
15. Marco Morelli (ARG) CFMOTO Aspar Team +15.151
World Championship standings Moto3
1. Maximo Quiles (ESP) CFMOTO Aspar Team, 392 points (Champion)
2. David Almansa (ESP) KTM, 253
7. Marco Morelli (ARG) CFMOTO Aspar Team, 141
Results Moto2 Grand Prix of Qatar
1. Daniel Holgado (ESP) CFMOTO Aspar Team 35:13.340
2. Ivan Ortola (ESP) +2.265
3. Alex Escrig (ESP) +2.285
4. David Alonso (COL) CFMOTO Aspar Team +4.143
World Championship standings Moto2
1. Manuel Gonzalez (ESP) 286.5 points
2. Izan Guevara (ESP) 273
3. Ivan Ortola (ESP) 219.5
4. Daniel Holgado (ESP) CFMOTO Aspar Team, 215
5. David Alonso (COL) CFMOTO Aspar Team, 204
