Angel Piqueras (FRINSA – MT Helmets – MSI) has announced himself as a race winner in 2025 after emerging victorious in a breathtaking last-lap showdown at the ArgentinaGP 2025.
The 2024 Rookie of the Year showcased his fearless racing prowess, forcing his way past Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) at the penultimate corner. The intense duel allowed Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing) to capitalize on the late drama, securing P2 while Rueda settled for third in Termas.
Ryusei Yamanaka (FRINSA – MT Helmets – MSI) grabbed the holeshot from the front row, but it was Alvaro Carpe (Red Bull KTM Ajo) who led as the first lap concluded. David Almansa (Leopard Racing) briefly took the reins as well in the early exchanges, with an electrifying lead group of 11 riders forming at the front. Just behind them, the chasing pack trailed by a mere second, ensuring an unpredictable battle.
However, the intensity only escalated. By Lap 5, the top 25 riders were separated by just four seconds – a testament to the sheer competitiveness of the Moto3 field. The congestion remained relentless over the following laps, as an astonishing 22 riders remained within a four-second window.
With two laps remaining, Matteo Bertelle (LEVELUP MTA Team) had carved out a 0.4-second lead. By the final lap, he extended it to 0.5 seconds. But could Piqueras and Rueda reel him in?
The advantage vanished midway through the last lap when Piqueras launched an audacious move at Turn 7. Rueda followed suit at Turn 9, setting the stage for a breathtaking finale. As they exited Turn 11, Piqueras ran wide, briefly surrendering his position to Rueda. However, with nerves of steel, Piqueras executed a stunning lunge at Turn 12, reclaiming the lead. In the chaos, Fernandez also managed to slip past Rueda, finishing as the runner-up while Piqueras celebrated his maiden victory of the season.
Behind the leading trio, Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia) originally claimed P4 ahead of Bertelle, but his result was overturned after exceeding track limits on the final lap. Almansa secured a career-best P6, followed by Luca Lunetta (SIC58 Squadra Corse) in P7. Despite serving two Long Lap penalties, Australian rider Joel Kelso (LEVELUP – MTA Team) impressively recovered to finish P8.
Yamanaka and Stefano Nepa (SIC58 Squadra Corse) completed the top 10, while home hero Valentin Perrone (Red Bull KTM Tech3) saw his hopes dashed after crashing out on the final lap despite a strong weekend.
With this electrifying showdown concluded, Rueda now heads to Austin atop the Moto3 standings, securing back-to-back podiums. Fernandez trails by just five points in second, while Piqueras’ stunning win propels him to P3 ahead of Round 3. The Moto3 season is shaping up to be an all-time classic, with fierce battles set to continue on American soil.
Credit Photo : MotoGP
