18-year-old Spanish sensation secures his 10th victory of the season at the Indonesian Grand Prix, sealing the Moto3 World Championship with five rounds remaining.
CFMOTO Aspar Team have once again conquered the Moto3 World Championship, with 18-year-old Spanish rider Maximo Quiles delivering a commanding victory at the 2026 Indonesian Grand Prix to secure the world title with an impressive five races still remaining.
Racing under the scorching Indonesian sun at the Mandalika International Street Circuit, Quiles claimed his 10th victory and 15th podium finish of an extraordinary 2026 campaign. The result confirmed his dominance in the lightweight Grand Prix category, making him world champion in only his second full season of Grand Prix racing.
The championship triumph also marks CFMOTO Aspar Team’s second Moto3 world title in three seasons, further strengthening the Chinese motorcycle manufacturer’s reputation in international motorcycle racing.
A Championship-Winning Performance in Indonesia
Arriving in Lombok for Round 17 of the 22-round MotoGP World Championship, Quiles and the CFMOTO Aspar Team knew that another strong performance could secure the championship.
Having dominated much of the 2026 season, the Spanish teenager entered the Indonesian Grand Prix with a commanding advantage over his nearest championship rival, David Almansa.
However, Mandalika presented one of the toughest challenges of the season.
The 4.3km circuit features 17 corners, combining sweeping high-speed bends with technical sections that demand precision and confidence from riders.
Located close to the Indonesian coastline, the circuit is also notorious for its slippery surface away from the racing line.
With track temperatures climbing from the mid-40s to nearly 70°C throughout the weekend, tyre management, physical endurance and concentration became crucial factors.
Despite the demanding conditions, Quiles demonstrated exactly why he has been the rider to beat throughout 2026.
Quiles Battles Through Qualifying to Deliver Victory
Quiles showed competitive pace from the opening practice sessions, finishing Friday just 0.088 seconds away from provisional pole position.
However, Saturday’s qualifying session proved more challenging.
Unable to secure an effective slipstream from another rider, Quiles was pushed from the front row to fourth position during the closing moments of qualifying.
Nevertheless, with less than four-tenths of a second separating him from pole position, the Spaniard remained confident of fighting for victory.
His teammate, Argentine rider Marco Morelli, faced a more difficult weekend while adapting to Mandalika for the first time.
Morelli qualified 22nd after progressing through Q1 but struggled to find the pace required to challenge further up the field.
Dominant Victory Seals the World Championship
When the lights went out for Sunday’s 20-lap Moto3 race, Quiles wasted little time moving towards the front.
Battling through an aggressive opening group, the CFMOTO rider quickly established himself at the head of the field before beginning to build an advantage over his rivals.
Once in the lead, Quiles demonstrated impressive race pace, gradually stretching the gap while his competitors fought for the remaining podium positions.
Although a few minor mistakes threatened to reduce his advantage, the teenager maintained his composure and controlled the closing stages.
Quiles eventually crossed the finish line 2.994 seconds ahead of David Almansa, with Brian Uriarte completing the podium a further 2.162 seconds behind.
It was a victory that delivered much more than another race win.
With 351 championship points, Quiles extended his advantage over Almansa to an unassailable 132 points, officially securing the 2026 Moto3 World Championship.
Teammate Marco Morelli finished 18th after a difficult race, collecting valuable experience at the challenging Indonesian circuit.
CFMOTO Makes Moto3 History
The Indonesian Grand Prix victory represents another significant milestone for CFMOTO’s rapidly growing international racing programme.
With 10 victories from the opening 17 rounds, Quiles has achieved a remarkable winning percentage of approximately 58.8%.
His consistency has been equally impressive, with 15 podium finishes throughout the season.
By securing the championship with five rounds remaining, CFMOTO Aspar Team have established a new benchmark for how early a Moto3 world title can be decided.
The achievement further underlines the strength of the partnership between CFMOTO and the experienced Spanish Aspar racing organisation.
For CFMOTO, the championship provides another opportunity to showcase its growing presence in the highly competitive world of Grand Prix motorcycle racing.
The manufacturer’s success in Moto3 also complements its expanding range of production motorcycles, including the rapidly developing CFMOTO sportbike family.
Maximo Quiles: “A Dream Come True”
An emotional Quiles celebrated his achievement after crossing the finish line, acknowledging the years of dedication required to become a world champion.
“Amazing, so-so happy. We’ve worked since the beginning of my life for this! I achieved my objective and it is a dream come true.
We have to go for more objectives but now we need to enjoy this. Thanks to all the fans in Indonesia; it’s special to win it here. I want to celebrate strong!”
For the 18-year-old Spaniard, the championship represents the biggest achievement of his young career and establishes him as one of the brightest emerging talents in Grand Prix motorcycle racing.
With five races still remaining, Quiles now has the opportunity to extend his remarkable victory tally and establish further records before the 2026 season concludes.
2026 Indonesian Moto3 Grand Prix Results
| Position | Rider | Team | Time / Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Maximo Quiles (ESP) | CFMOTO Aspar Team | 32:36.820 |
| 2nd | David Almansa (ESP) | KTM | +2.994s |
| 3rd | Brian Uriarte (ESP) | Red Bull KTM Ajo | +5.156s |
| 18th | Marco Morelli (ARG) | CFMOTO Aspar Team | +26.776s |
2026 Moto3 World Championship Standings
After Round 17 – Indonesian Grand Prix
| Position | Rider | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Maximo Quiles | CFMOTO Aspar Team | 351 |
| 2nd | David Almansa | KTM | 219 |
| 3rd | Brian Uriarte | Red Bull KTM Ajo | 203 |
| 5th | Marco Morelli | CFMOTO Aspar Team | 146 |
Next Stop: Phillip Island, Australia
Following the Indonesian Grand Prix, the MotoGP paddock will take a short break before heading to Australia for the next round of the championship.
The legendary Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit will host the Australian Grand Prix for what is scheduled to be its final appearance on the MotoGP calendar before the event moves to Adelaide in 2027.
Although the Moto3 championship has already been decided, Quiles and the CFMOTO Aspar Team will undoubtedly be targeting further victories to complete their extraordinary season.
Meanwhile, Marco Morelli will continue his battle to improve his championship position, with fourth place remaining within reach.
For CFMOTO, the 2026 Moto3 World Championship is another significant achievement in its international motorsport journey, demonstrating that the Chinese manufacturer continues to establish itself among the world’s leading motorcycle racing brands.
