Quiles delivers the goods in what was a crash fest wet race at the French circuit

The host of round five of the Moto3 championship is the Michelin Grand Prix of France. Adrian Fernandez was on pole position for the first time in 2026. Joining the Leopard Racing rider on the front row of the grid was CF Moto Gaviota Aspar’s Max Quiles and GRYD – MLav Racing’s Joel Kelso. The weather at the French circuit was very wet, which reduced the race to 13 laps.

Max Quiles got the holeshot into a wet turn one, David Munoz and Brian Uriarte both crashed out! Followed by Cormac Buchanan a few corners later, the conditions were treacherous!

Quiles from leading from Fernandez, Marco Morelli was in third place. Casey O’Gorman had a good start running in eighth place, Scott Ogden was in 12th place, with Eddie O’Shea was in tenth place.

O’Gorman crashed out a few corners later, it’s been a difficult weekend for the Irish rider. Joel Kelso also crashed out of fourth place. After just three laps five riders had all crashed out due to the conditions.

The field was very stretched out, Quiles had over a second lead at the front. Alvaro Carpe and Morelli both crashed out on lap five, Marco rejoined the race in 15th place.

Matteo Bertelle was running in third place, Guido Pini was in fourth place. Bertelle was given a Long Lap Penalty, which brought the next pack of riders in the mix. Another crasher as Jesus Rios crashed out on lap seven.

Disaster for Britain’s Scott Ogden as he crashed out. Rico Salmela had a highside at turn ten.

With five laps to go Quiles was still controlling the race, Fernandez was pushing on to reduce the gap, Bertelle was in third place.

Last lap time, things were closing up between the top three riders. Quiles crossed the line to take his third victory of the season, Max made the tricky Moto3 race look easy! Fernandez finished in second place, Bertelle was third, Pratama was fourth, Joel Esteban was fifth. Brit O’Shea was ninth.

Quiles now leads the Moto3 championship on 115 points.

Featured Image: Max Quiles.