04/10/2026

A bitter end in Japan, despite strong pace

The LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP Moto2 team scored points on Sunday with Senna Agius, who finished 13th at Motegi, while Manuel Gonzalez heads to Indonesia empty-handed after a problem at the start.

After the warm-up lap, 24-year-old Manuel Gonzalez had to push his motorcycle from the starting grid into the pit lane and, from there, he had to chase the field, which had long since disappeared around the first corner. When he shifted into first gear for the start, the engine stalled due to a technical problem, forcing Gonzalez to start the race from the pit lane. However, his spirited effort to make up ground was only enough for a 22nd-place finish. Gonzalez remains the championship leader, even though today’s race winner, Izan Guevara, has closed the gap to just 10.5 points.

Senna Agius was absolutely determined to score as many points as possible in Japan to make up ground in the championship. The 21-year-old Australian rider, who started the 16th race of the season from P10 on the fourth row of the grid, struggled with grip issues throughout the race and was therefore unable to go on the offensive. Instead, he lost a position on the first lap and dropped back to 12th place six laps later. On lap 11 of 19, Agius was overtaken by another competitor and ultimately crossed the finish line in 13th place.

In just a few days, the action continues with the Indonesian Grand Prix at the small island of Lombok. There, the entire LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP Team and the two riders, Gonzalez and Agius, plan to go all in again and show their usual form.

Moto2™ Race Classification (19 Laps):
1 IZAN GUEVARA / SPA / BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2 / BOSCOSCURO / 34´14.675
2 Tony ARBOLINO / ITA / REDS Fantic Racing / KALEX / +0.419
3 Filip SALAC / CZE / OnlyFans American Racing Team / KALEX / +1.057
…
13 #81 Senna AGIUS / AUS / LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP / KALEX / +13.509
22 #18 Manuel GONZALEZ / SPA / LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP / KALEX / +31.269

Moto2™ World Standings:
1 #18 Manuel GONZALEZ / SPA / KALEX / 245,5
2 IZAN GUEVARA / SPA / BOSCOSCURO / 235
3 Ivan ORTOLA / SPA / KALEX / 181,5
…
6 #81 Senna AGIUS / AUS / KALEX / 152

Moto2™ Team Standings:
1 LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP 397,5
2 CFMOTO Azul Marino Aspar Team 320
3 BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2 252,5

Manuel Gonzalez

Race: P22 +31.269
Moto2 World Championship 2026: P1 - 245,5 Points

«Another bit of bad luck today. As we went into warm-up lap, I felt strong vibrations when braking. I wasn’t sure what was going on, because slight vibrations are normal whenever the brake pads are replaced. However, when I reached my starting position, I tried to engage the clutch, but it didn’t work. So, I couldn’t shift into first gear or get started. I had to leave the starting grid and push the bike into the pit lane, where my crew was able to adjust the clutch so I could start the race. But since I had to start from the pit lane, there wasn’t much left to gain. Still, as soon as I was on track, I didn’t think about anything else and just gave it my all, as always. I was riding really fast, but then I had problems with it again. Ultimately, it is what it is. I’m sure I would have been right up there at the front if everything had gone normally. You never know, but the speed was definitely there, as you could see from the lap times, which matched those of the top riders. So, we have to take the positives with us, since we’re still in the lead despite this mistake. It seems like we’re still the strongest. We have to keep going like this and keep working but also avoid making any more mistakes. So, off to Indonesia, where we’ll carry on in exactly the same way.»

Senna Agius

Race: P13 +13.509
Moto2 World Championship 2026: P6 – 152 Points

«Right from the start of the race today, I had a strange feeling on the bike and was unable to overtake or attack. It’s unfortunate but we need to stay calm and investigate to come back to our level that we know. That’s exactly what we’ll be working on ahead of Indonesia, so that we can give our best there once again.»

Jürgen Lingg

Team Manager

«Of course, the weekend ended on a very bitter note for Manu. After strong practice sessions here and a very good qualifying session that earned him third place on the front row, he had to start from the pit lane because the bike stalled while shifting into first gear on the starting grid. Unfortunately, things like this happen, and they hurt especially badly. The positive takeaway is that Manu had a strong pace despite this difficult starting situation. The speed is definitely there, and that’s what we’re taking away from this weekend.»

«As expected, things were a bit more difficult for Senna in Motegi. We know this track isn’t one of the easiest for him. We were on the right path, especially on Saturday morning and then again in qualifying. But in the race, conditions were a bit different, and things didn’t go perfectly for him, he struggled with grip issues. But now we’re looking ahead. We know the pace is there, and next week we want to do better again.»

#JapaneseGP Sunday

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