Debuts, changes and comebacks: Moto2 and Moto3, the curtain comes down with the final tests at Jerez

The World Championship is now officially on holiday, and that goes for the junior classes too. Moto2 and Moto3 were in action for two days of private testing at the Circuito de Jerez–Ángel Nieto (a full opening day, while the second day only ran in the afternoon due to a wet track in the morning). Not full grids, but still a solid representation from both categories, including some new colors, returns, and debuts. There were also a few guests from JuniorGP, in this case from the ETC class: Alex Longarela (winner of the race in Valencia and freshly renewed with the Snipers Igax Team) and Carlos Cano (initially champion before the disqualification for a technical infringement).

Minimal Italian representation among riders on track at Jerez. In Moto3 there were Guido Pini, facing a double change in 2026 with a new team, Leopard Racing, and switching from KTM to Honda, and Nicola Carraro, confirmed at Snipers Team. In Moto2 there was only the SpeedRS duo, namely Celestino Vietti and future rookie Luca Lunetta. The latter was seen in action at Valencia for a first shakedown on the Boscoscuro during free practice at the JuniorGP season finale, without then racing. Also noted was a final appearance by Albert Arenas, bound for Supersport but riding for American Racing in place of the injured Joe Roberts.

We mentioned Lunetta, but there are several more. Like the presence of Moto3 vice-champion Ángel Piqueras, making his first Moto2 rookie outing with MSi Racing’s Kalex. Or Daniel Muñoz, a frequent “stand-in” over the years, including late in the 2025 season as an injury replacement for KTM Ajo’s Deniz Öncü, who has started adapting to Italtrans Racing, fresh off celebrating Moreira’s historic title. Deniz Öncü himself is back on track, now with Marc VDS, returning to action after the physical issues that sidelined him until season’s end. Aron Canet has returned to Boscoscuro machinery with Marc VDS (with an eye on Superbike in the future?), while Italjet Gresini is testing its new duo, Alonso López and Sergio García, both former Boscoscuro riders.

Also on track was Alberto Ferrández, arriving from Moto2 JuniorGP and the new Blu Cru Pramac Yamaha signing alongside the confirmed Guevara (absent), and Filip Salač making his first appearance with his new team, American Racing. Honda Team Asia saw its rookie take his first laps on a Moto2: Taiyo Furusato has begun the approach to the big step, paired with the confirmed Mario Aji. The aforementioned KTM Ajo only had the confirmed Collin Veijer present; for Moto3 world champion and future rookie José Antonio Rueda, everything is postponed to 2026, once he’s recovered from the serious Sepang injury. On day two, Fantic Racing was also present—this year’s first-ever team champions: Tony Arbolino made his debut in the new colors alongside the confirmed Barry Baltus after his historic 3rd in the championship.

Far fewer riders from the lightweight class took to the Andalusian track. We mentioned Guido Pini, making his first laps on the Leopard Honda alongside the confirmed Adrián Fernández, but they weren’t the only ones. Noted was the first “official” outing for Brian Uriarte, Moto3 JuniorGP and Rookies Cup champion, who had already made an early World Championship debut with KTM Ajo in place of the injured Rueda; the team was complete with the presence of Álvaro Carpe, a rookie in 2025. Also stepping up from Moto3 JuniorGP was Jesús Ríos, already fielded by Snipers due to Riccardo Rossi’s physical issues and subsequently confirmed for the 2026 World Championship alongside the confirmed Nicola Carraro. KTM Tech3 was at Jerez with promising young Finn Rico Salmela, a rookie next year; CIP also had a single rider, Adrián Cruces. Lastly, Honda Team Asia was present with the full squad, namely future rookies Veda Pratama and Zen Mitani; same for MLav Racing with Eddie O’Shea and Joel Kelso, formerly of LevelUp MTA.

Moto2
1. Alex Escrig (KLINT Forward) - 1:39.172
2. Dani Munoz (Italtrans Racing) - 1:39.312
3. Collin Veijer (Red Bull KTM Ajo) - 1:39.684
4. Sergio Garcia (Italjet Gresini) - 1:40.045
5. Alonso Lopez (Italjet Gresini) - 1:40.062
6. Celestino Vietti (SpeedRS) - 1:40.436
7. Filip Salac (American Racing) - 1:40.507
8. Mario Aji (Honda Team Asia) - 1:40.534
9. Jorge Navarro (KLINT Forward) - 1:40.582
10. Aron Canet (Marc VDS) - 1:40.588
11. Deniz Oncu (Marc VDS) - 1:40. 808
12. Alberto Ferrandez (Blu Cru Pramac Yamaha) - 1:41.128
13. Luca Lunetta (SpeedRS) - 1:41.750
14. Angel Piqueras (MSi Racing) - 1:41.876
15. Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia) - 1:42.088

Moto3
1. Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing) - 1:44.587
2. Adrian Cruces (CIP Green Power) - 1:45.197
3. Alvaro Carpe (Red Bull KTM Ajo) - 1:45.493
4. Guido Pini (Leopard Racing) - 1:45.825
- Alex Longarela (Snipers Igax/JuniorGP) - 1:45.877
5. Jesus Rios (Rivacold Snipers) - 1:46.128
6. Brian Uriarte (Red Bull KTM Ajo) - 1:46.304
7. Veda Pratama (Honda Team Asia) - 1:46.323
8. Zen Mitani (Honda Team Asia) - 1:46.457
9. Rico Salmela (Red Bull KTM Tech3) - 1:46.895
- Carlos Cano (SeventyTwo Artbox/JuniorGP) - 1:47.161

Moto2
1. Barry Baltus (Fantic Racing) - 1:39.826
2. Tony Arbolino (Fantic Racing) - 1:40.091
3. Jorge Navarro (KLINT Forward) - 1:40.094
4. Angel Piqueras (MSi Racing) - 1:40.165
5. Albert Arenas (American Racing) - 1:40.230
6. Luca Lunetta (SpeedRS) - 1:40.304
7. Alberto Ferrandez (Blu Cru Pramac Yamaha) - 1:40.383
8. Ivan Ortola (MSi Racing) - 1:40.417
9. Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia) - 1:40.761

Moto3
1. Joel Kelso (MLav Racing) - 1:44.785
2. Adrian Cruces (CIP Green Power) - 1:44.937
3. Jesus Rios (Rivacold Snipers) - 1:45.000
4. Nicola Carraro (Rivacold Snipers) - 1:45.107
5. Veda Pratama (Honda Team Asia) - 1:45.432
6. Brian Uriarte (Red Bull KTM Ajo) - 1:45.562
7. Eddie O'Shea (MLav Racing) - 1:45.706
8. Zen Mitani (Honda Team Asia) - 1:46.063
9. Rico Salmela (Red Bull KTM Tech3) - 1:46.289

- Carlos Cano - 1:46.564