How about that for a drama-drenched Moto2 race at the Pertamina Grand Prix of Indonesia? Coming out on top for the third time in a row was red-hot Izan Guevara of BLU CRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2, leaving the title race gap to Manuel Gonzalez of Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP narrowing further—though not by much. Gonzalez limited the damage with a fine ride to P2, while after late heartbreak arrived for race leader Alex Escrig of KLINT Racing Team on the penultimate lap, Daniel Holgado of CFMOTO Power Electronics Aspar Team ended his weekend with a return to the podium.
As the race got underway, there was immediate chaos at Turn 1. Four riders went down, including both CFMOTO Power Electronics Aspar Team machines of David Alonso and Holgado, with the latter tagging the back of his teammate into the opening corner. Alonso was brutally launched into the air, while Joe Roberts of OnlyFans American Racing Team had nowhere to go on the outside line and collected the stricken bike, sliding down the road too. Collin Veijer of Red Bull KTM Ajo was then left with no option but to run into the barrel-rolling, out-of-control Kalex-Triumph of Alonso, causing Veijer to crash as well. Thankfully, all four riders were back on their feet and relatively unscathed after the red flags flew.
Unfortunately for Alonso, with the fuel tank being ripped out in the crash alongside significant damage, his Sunday wouldn't be restarted—rotten luck for the Colombian. There were better fortunes for Holgado, Roberts, and Veijer, who all left the pit lane in time for the restart grid, though Roberts immediately peeled back into the box before lights out due to a rear brake problem. Out on track, Escrig grabbed the holeshot to lead Guevara at the start, with Holgado third before Ivan Ortola of QJMOTOR – JP Financial – MSI made his way past. By Lap 6, Escrig led Guevara by 0.8s, with Holgado 0.8s further back and Gonzalez hunting down Ortola, eventually taking fourth on Lap 7.
Gonzalez then climbed to third as Holgado dropped back, while three seconds up the road, Guevara began reeling in race leader Escrig. Escrig picked up the pace on Lap 12 of 14, setting up a thrilling duel before a cruel technical issue halted his charge on the penultimate lap. That handed the lead to Guevara, who didn't flinch. A hat-trick of wins for Guevara closed the championship gap, but Gonzalez bounced back from a disappointing Saturday to claim 20 crucial points for P2, leaving the margin at just 6.5 points.
Third went to Holgado, capping off a wild rollercoaster of a Sunday. Senna Agius of Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP delivered a classy comeback ride from P13 on the grid to clinch fourth, while Daniel Muñoz of Italtrans Racing Team closed out the top five ahead of Ortola. Filip Salač of OnlyFans American Racing Team crossed the line in P7, finishing 1.6s clear of Alonso Lopez of ITALJET Gresini Moto2, Tony Arbolino of REDS Fantic Racing, and Jose Antonio Rueda of Red Bull KTM Tech3 to round out the top ten. Now, a weekend off awaits before the title chase revs back into life at Phillip Island.
