Rueda goes from last to first in Silverstone thriller

Spaniard takes third consecutive Moto3 win as Joel Kelso crashes out while leading 

Jose Antonio Rueda delivered a masterclass in grit and racecraft at the Tissot Grand Prix of the United Kingdom, securing a third consecutive win in dramatic style and extending his Moto3 title lead. The Red Bull KTM Ajo rider had looked set for a straightforward Sunday after securing pole position, but a post-qualifying penalty for riding slowly during Q2 dropped him to the very back of the grid. That didn’t faze him. Instead, he joined a rarefied group of riders who have turned last place on the grid into victory—joining Marc Márquez, Brad Binder and David Alonso.

When the lights went out at Silverstone, it was Rueda’s rookie teammate Alvaro Carpe who launched ahead, taking the holeshot and setting the early pace. Rueda made immediate progress, cutting through the pack with clinical precision, picking off rivals as the long freight-train lead group began to form. By the end of Lap 3, the #99 had latched onto the tail of the lead pack, and by Lap 4 he was already carving through it with intent. Joel Kelso was looking strong also, taking the lead on lap 5 before losing the front as he changed direction going into Club, ending his hopes of a third consecutive podium.

By lap 10 Rueda was vying for the lead himself, but standing firmly in his way was was Maximo Quiles, the CFMOTO Valresa Aspar Team rookie having the weekend of his life. Far from being intimidated by the points leader’s charge, Quiles responded in kind, swapping places right through the final lap and refusing to give an inch. The two were locked in a dogfight as the final corners approached, going elbow-to-elbow from the Hangar Straight through to the final chicane. Quiles threaded the needle into the penultimate corner with courage, only to run slightly deep—and Rueda didn’t hesitate, pouncing with a perfectly executed inside move at the final turn. He tucked in tight and powered across the line by the slimmest margin to complete one of the most impressive comeback wins in recent Moto3 memory.

Though unable to clinch the win, Quiles nonetheless celebrated his first career podium with a stellar second-place finish that heralded his arrival as a force to be reckoned with. Rounding out the rostrum was Italy’s Luca Lunetta, who survived a Long Lap penalty early on following contact with David Muñoz. Despite the setback, Lunetta composed himself and charged through the field to claim a hard-fought third.

Just behind the podium battle unfolded its own drama, with Carpe eventually coming home fourth after his early lead faded. Valentin Perrone impressed in fifth for Red Bull KTM Tech3, closely followed by David Almansa on the Leopard Honda. Guido Pini, Ryusei Yamanaka and Vicente Perez kept things tight in the midfield melee, while Nicola Carraro narrowly held on to tenth at the end of a bruising battle. Late-race drama further shook up the standings when Taiyo Furusato received a time penalty following an incident that saw Angel Piqueras crash out of contention.

Scott Ogden gave home fans reason to cheer with an eleventh-place finish, while Furusato slotted into twelfth after penalties were applied. Jacob Roulstone, Cormac Buchanan, and Riccardo Rossi claimed the final points on offer.

Silverstone Moto3 Race

Moto3 World Standings