Agius makes it back-to-back victories ahead of Gonzalez and Veijer

The Moto2 paddock arrived in Spain this weekend for the first European round of the 2026 season. It was the Circuito de Jerez – Ángel Nieto that set the scene for the Estrella Galicia 0,0 Grand Prix of Spain.

Collin Veijer (Red Bull KTM Ajo) made history on Saturday afternoon with his first pole position in the class. Not only was this Veijer’s first Moto2 pole, but it was the first pole for a Dutch rider in the intermediate class since Wilco Zeelenberg at the Japanese GP in 1991!

Lining up on the front row of the grid with Veijer were Alex Escrig (KLINT Racing Team), and Championship leader Manuel Gonzalez (LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP). Senna Agius (LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP) – who won last time out in the USA – headed the second row of the grid, with Alonso Lopez (ITALJET Gresini Moto2) and David Alonso (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) lining up alongside the Australian. Dani Holgado (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team), Barry Baltus (REDS Fantic Racing), and Dani Muñoz (TEAM) lined up on the third row of the grid, with Munoz being promoted to 9^th following a grid penalty for Izan Guevara (BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2).

Following on from the multi-rider crash at the last round at COTA, Alberto Ferrandez (BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2) was deemed to be the rider at fault, and the Spanish rider had to start the race from the pit lane.

As the Spanish sun beat down on the Jerez track, the lights went out on Sunday and Gonzalez leapt off the front row of the grid to lead into turn one, with Veijer and Agius hot on his heels. Alonso Lopez made an early move to steal 3^rd place away from Agius before Veijer took the lead of the race from Gonzalez at turn six. Before the end of the first lap, Agius had claimed 3^rd place back from Lopez.

The lead three of Veijer, Gonzalez and Agius quickly started to pull away from the chasing pack, and Agius was soon back into 2^nd place at the expense of his teammate. Further back Holgado and Escrig were having a battle for 6^th place, while David Alonso was beginning an incredible fightback through the field having had a rocky start to the race.

Lap five saw Agius looking determined to pass Veijer – he was swarming all over the rear of the Dutch rider before making his move into turn nine. Veijer fought back, but Agius passed him again only to run just wide enough for Veijer to reclaim the lead of the race.

Alonso suffered a set back in his fight back through the field as Escrig made a move which saw him make contact with both of the Aspar riders – Holgado came off a little better than Alonso as the pair dropped to 7^th and 10^th respectively. The incident was reviewed by race direction and it was deemed that no further action was required – it was just a racing incident.

Aron Canet (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) crashed out of the race on lap six, before Barry Baltus crashed out of 4^th place a lap later. Baltus’ crash handed 4^th place to Lopez who very quickly joined Baltus in crashing out of 4^th place. Escrig now found himself promoted to 4^th place, but he soon began to fall back into the pack.

Agius and Gonzalez had some back-and-forth behind Veijer, before Agius made his move for the lead – passing Veijer to take the lead on lap 14. Gonzalez seized the opportunity ahead of him and followed Agius through into 2^nd place. A few laps later, Alonso moved past Celestino Vietti (Beta Tools SpeedRS Team) for 4^th and as the fastest rider on track, he set about closing the gap to the leading three over the final few laps.

Agius got his head down and put together a solid final couple of laps to begin the final lap 0.8 seconds ahead of Gonzalez – he held on to take the chequered flag ahead of his teammate, with Veijer finishing in 3^rd place to take his first podium of the season.

Agius’ victory gives him back-to-back victories in the class for the first time, and he was able to enjoy a podium “shoey” celebration this weekend, having been unable to do so in the USA due to the legal drinking age being higher there!

David Alonso finished in 4^th place, ahead of Vietti and Dani Muñoz, with Guevara, Tony Arbolino (REDS Fantic Racing), Escrig, and Ivan Ortola (QJMOTOR – GALFER – MSI) rounding out the top ten.

Gonzalez holds on to the championship lead, with Agius moving up to second place, with Guevara in 3^rd after four races.

Moto2 returns to action for the MICHELIN Grand Prix of France from 8^th to 10^th May.

Featured Image: Ksc Photography Services