2026 Thai Moto2 - Race Results

The first race for the Moto2 class for the 2026 season took three attempts to find a winner after being halted twice for red flags aver heavy crashes at turn three in round 1 of 22 - the Thai Grand Prix in Buriram.

The final restart saw a close battle between Manuel Gonzalez and Izan Guevara go all the way to the chequered flag with the Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP rider coming out in front after defensive riding out front, leading over the line by just 0.099s.

• 2026 Thai MotoGP, Buriram: Race - LIVE

It had been Daniel Holgado that had sat on pole for the two reset grids, but the opportunity for a third start for a final seven lap sprint saw Guevara up the inside of the Aspar bike on lap one with Gonzalez in pursuit.

The No.18 bike did not find a way past until the end of the penultimate lap, leading over the line for the final time around Buriram after forcing Guevara out wide.

From there, with no tyre woes over the shorter distance the duo gave everything on the final lap, with a strong defensive line seeing Gonzalez win the opening round - as he also did to kick off the 2025 season - a big winner from the red flags after originally qualifying down in seventh.

Izan Guevara had been one of the most consistent riders through testing into the opening sessions of the race weekend, building on his race win at the end of 2025 in Valencia, starting second originally and third on the final grid, but could not find a way past his fellow countryman, to finish second for Blu Cru Pramac Yamaha -the top Boscoscuro behind his Kalex rival.

Holgado was third to finish completing the podium, pulling clear of Ivan Ortola who drifted to fourth for QJMotor - Frinsa - MSI.

The Spaniard held his own gap over fifth placed Collin Veijer for Red Bull KTM Ajo, with Celestino Vietti picking up sixth for Sync Group SpeedRS after cooling down while waiting for the restart at a hot Chang International Circuit with ice on his head.

Gresini’s Alonso Lopez used the situation to make gains - originally down in 14th from qualifying he surged forward for a seventh place finish, just ahead of Italtrans rider Daniel Munoz in the battle to the line.

Deniz Oncu continued his return for his injury ravaged 2025 with a solid ninth for his new Elf Marc VDS team. Ayumu Sasaki completed the top 10 for Idrofoglia RW Racing.

Aron Canet was also able to make moves in the right direction after a difficult QP - the Marc VDS rider was initially 15th on the grid, making it to eleventh after the shortened race.

After topping the Jerez test Alex Escrig had a Saturday to forget finishing 18th with no time after a fall. The Forward rider was also in recovery mode on the restart for an improved 12th.

The remaining points on offer went to Tony Arbolino, now at Fantic in 13th, his team-mate Barry Baltus in 14th with Alberto Ferrandez the top rookie for Blu Cru Pramac Yamaha in 15th.

Taiyo Furusato was the best of the Moto3 graduate rookies in 16th for Idemitsu Honda Team Asia.

Jorge Navarro, along with Senna Agius who had originally started from pole for the first time in his Moto2 career, and Filip Salac, both of whom now found themselves at the back of the grid after the red flags, were the only other riders to finish.

Official Buriram Moto2 Records:
Fastest race lap: Manuel Gonzalez (2025) 1m 35.390s
Old All time lap record: Manuel Gonzalez (2025) 1m 34.591s
New all time lap record: Manuel Gonzalez (2026, Practice) 1m 34.501s

Two red flags and three starts needed for a Moto2 result

The original start of the race had already seen Angel Piqueras and Mario Aji crash in quick session, before a huge lap three incident brought out the red flags.

Agius had a bike issue at turn 10 which saw David Alonso hit, with Salac also caught up in the aftermath.

The race continued until the bikes reached the same turn with Alonso still being treated, causing he red flags to be deployed.

Salac was closest and immediately headed to Alonso, who was stretchered away. Alonso was reported to be conscious on exit from he track and was taken to the medical centre for checks after reporting arm pain.  

Salac rode his bike back, while Agius pushed his to the pits, both hoping for a restart. The duo were allowed to start from pit lane.  

The first restart saw Sergio Garcia touch the rear of Barry Baltus, which resulted in him crashing, collecting Luca Lunetta as he fell. Garcia got straight up but was then straight back down, needing a stretcher - and causing a second red flag scenario. Both were taken to te medical centre.

A final start for the seven laps reduced distance allowed Agius and Salac to start on the grid from the back, but there was soon action at turn three again, with Joe Roberts off. He was soon joined out of the race by Zonta van den Goorbergh and Jose Antonio Rueda.

Crashes, injuries and replacements

There was already a rider missing for the grid for the Buriram Moto2 race - after being stretchered away from his practice crash Adrian Huertas was declared unfit to continue the race weekend.

Championship Standings

With the opening race completed the 25 points went to winner Gonzalez, with Guevara picking up 20 in second and 16 going to Holgado in third. Top rookie Ferranadez picked up one point in 15th.

Full results for the Thai Moto2 race can be found below.