Flawless Fernandez claims maiden Moto3 victory at Valencia
Circuit Ricardo TormoHonda rounds out the 2025 season with a double podium at Circuit Ricardo Tormo
An intense final race of the season saw impressive performances from Honda’s NSF250RW riders, with Adrian Fernandez claiming his first Moto3 victory and Taiyo Furusato rounding out the podium. In addition, there were five Honda riders inside the top-ten.
Although there were fierce battles throughout the 20-lap race around Circuit Ricardo Tormo, Leopard Racing’s Adrian Fernandez was able to claim the race lead early on and remain untouchable until the chequered flag. This flawless performance resulted in the Spaniard’s debut Moto3 victory. Behind Fernandez, Honda Team Asia’s Taiyo Furusato was locked in a furious fight for the runner-up place. Although Furusato crossed the line in second place, he was demoted one place for exceeding track limits on the final lap, but still secured his third podium finish in a row before he makes the move to Moto2 in 2026.
Both Luca Lunetta (SIC58 Squadra Corse) and David Almansa (Leopard Racing) were in the fight for the podium early on, but as the race progressed the pair were unable to keep the same pace as the leading riders. A video verification was required to determine their finishing positions with only 0.001 seconds separating the pair, which saw Lunetta claim seventh and Almansa eighth. Also finishing inside the top-ten was Rivacold Snipers Team’s Jesus Rios, who also enjoyed a strong race battling in the main pack.
Points were also scored by Stefano Nepa (SIC58 Squadra Corse) who was classified in 11th place and Marco Morelli (GRYD – MLav Racing), who had crossed the line in ninth but was given a three second time penalty for not serving the long-lap penalty picked up on the penultimate lap.
The second Rivacold Snipers Team bike belonging to Nicola Carraro ended the race in 18th place, with Eddie O’Shea (GRYD – MLav Racing) finishing in 20th. Unfortunately, it was a DNF for Honda Team Asia’s Zen Mitani, who crashed on Lap 15.
It is amazing to finally win and just I don’t have words for it. I remember when my brother take his victory here and now also I have done so. For me, for my family, and for my team, it has been important to take this victory. It’s amazing and I really don’t have the words for it. I just want to say thank you to everyone.
It is amazing to finally win and just I don’t have words for it. I remember when my brother take his victory here and now also I have done so. For me, for my family, and for my team, it has been important to take this victory. It’s amazing and I really don’t have the words for it. I just want to say thank you to everyone.
I was thinking to attack in the final five laps but Maximo [Quiles] was so strong on the brakes and we lost some time fighting behind Adrian [Fernandez] and he had a super strong pace. I am super happy to be on the podium in my final Moto3 race though. I was really trying to win the race but Adrian was so strong. I’m happy with my performance in these past few races and my team has been so nice. For four years it has been the same people and it’s a little bit emotional now, but thank you so much to them.
I was thinking to attack in the final five laps but Maximo [Quiles] was so strong on the brakes and we lost some time fighting behind Adrian [Fernandez] and he had a super strong pace. I am super happy to be on the podium in my final Moto3 race though. I was really trying to win the race but Adrian was so strong. I’m happy with my performance in these past few races and my team has been so nice. For four years it has been the same people and it’s a little bit emotional now, but thank you so much to them.
