Moto2 returns to the track in Japan to kick off the sport's Asian tour. At Motegi, on a track where the entire grid has less experience overall, the riders' ability to adapt to lesser-known tracks will be put to the test. In the championship, Manuel Gonzalez heads into the four overseas rounds with a 39-point lead over Diogo Moreira and Aron Canet. Belgian Barry Baltus completes a top-four finish that tightened after Misano, 54 points behind the leader. So anything could change this weekend...
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Moto2™ Japan, Motegi |
2024 |
2025 |
| FP | 1'50.287 Filip Salac | 1:49.067 Jake Dixon |
| P1 | 1'49.716 Filip Salac | 1'48.679 Jake Dixon |
| P2 | 1'50.672 Aron Canet | 1'48.319 Jake Dixon |
| Q1 | 1'49.742 Manuel Gonzalez | 1'48.395 David Alonso |
| Q2 | 1'52.693 Jake Dixon | 1'47.925 Manuel Gonzalez |
| Course | Gonzalez, Ogura, Salac (See here) | Holgado, Dixon, Moreira |
| All time lap record | 1'49.716 Filip Salac 2024 | 1'47.925 Manuel Gonzalez |
As the lights went out, pole-sitter Manuel Gonzalez made a complete misfire and was relegated from the top five. Conversely, Diogo Moreira and his brilliant start took the lead in the Japanese Grand Prix. The Brazilian was quickly overtaken by Dani Holgado, who was determined not to waste any time in this race. The nightmare continued for the championship leader. During a heated duel with Celestino Vietti, he knocked him to the ground. The stewards gave him a long lap, which pushed him out of the leading group.
The situation remained stable until the halfway point. Daniel Holgado led the way ahead of Tony Arbolino and Jake Dixon, while Diogo Moreira, David Alonso, and Barry Baltus completed the leading group. There were a few incidents during this first part of the race. In addition to Vietti's crash, already mentioned, there were the withdrawals of Dani Munoz and Zonta van der Goorbergh, on the first lap, Senna Agius, and Izan Guevara, who had held out hope of a podium finish.
For the first two-thirds of the race, Daniel Holgado maintained an impressive pace. At this point, he already had a five-second lead over his closest pursuers, while Jake Dixon took second place from Tony Arbolino when the latter missed the apex in the final corner.
With three laps to go, Manuel Gonzalez returned to the leading group. He successively defeated Barry Baltus and Tony Arbolino to take 5th place in the race. His final ranking. Up front, Dani Holgado won after dominating from start to finish. Jake Dixon took second place, while Diogo Moreira and Jake Dixon battled until the end for 3rd, before Moreira snatched the podium.
Moto2 Japan – Race standings at Motegi:
Ranking : MotoGP.com