MANUEL GONZALEZ CLAIMS FIRST 2026 TRIUMPH-POWERED MOTO2 VICTORY
Manuel Gonzalez got his 2026 Moto2™ World Championship campaign off to winning ways today. He battled to victory in a frantic seven-lap dash at the Chang International Circuit. This was after two red flags halted proceedings throughout the opening race of the season.
After a long winter, Moto2™ returned to Thailand this weekend as the 2026 season got underway.
Following a fast Friday Practice, it was Senna Agius who stormed to a maiden pole position. Izan Guevara and Dani Holgado completed the first front row of the year.
Under the blazing Thai sun, eventual race-winner Gonzalez instantly got in the mix from seventh on the grid. However, it was his 2025 rival Holgado who fired his Street Triple 765 RS powered machine into the lead. Ivan Ortola and pole-sitter Agius were closely behind. A fiery opening couple of laps eventually settled with Holgado maintaining the lead. Then a three-rider crash further back brought the race to an early stop.
With riders only eligible to restart having got their Triumph-powered Moto2 bikes back under their own steam, Agius and Filip Salac would have to restart from the pitlane. Meanwhile, David Alonso was sidelined.
Getting back underway, it was more of the same as Holgado bolted to the front. He maintained the lead until a second red flag stoppage was called on the opening lap. This time, the stoppage was for an incident at turn three.
A third, and final, restart saw the Triumph Street Triple 765 RS machines roar back into action for a seven-lap sprint. Holgado again slotted into the lead before relinquishing his position to Guevara and Gonzalez in the opening laps, with Ortola in fourth. This time, a hard-charging Gonzalez was hot on the case. He pressured Guevara at the head of a four-rider battle before making his move at turn seven. Gonzalez pounced on his fellow Spaniard to take the lead.
The number 28 instantly looked for a response but couldn’t make his attempts to reclaim the move stick. Eventually, he crossed the line behind Gonzalez, with Holgado completing the first podium of the 2026 season.
Gonzalez’ victory rewards him with 25 World Championship points. He now heads the Moto2 charge to Brazil, an all-new circuit for the World Championship.
TRIUMPH TRIPLE TROPHY SHORTLIST
1. Manuel Gonzalez – coming through the pack from seventh to take his first victory of the season, after an amazing battle with Izan Guevara
2. Izan Guevara – for an incredible battle with Gonzalez over the seven laps for the top step
3. Dani Holgado – qualifying on the front row, getting the holeshot in all the race starts, to eventually finish third
Next round:
Round 2, Autódromo Internacional Ayrton Senna, Brazil, 20-22 March 2026