AUSTIN, TX – Brian Uriarte of Red Bull KTM Ajo secured a seventh-place finish at the Moto3 Americas Grand Prix on Monday, March 30, 2026, a result he considers a significant achievement, particularly given the unfortunate race for Indonesian rider Veda Ega Pratama. While Uriarte progressed, Veda Ega Pratama’s race ended prematurely with a crash at the Circuit of the Americas in Texas.
Uriarte’s performance marked a positive step for the rookie, who entered the race with a focus on gaining experience. The young Spaniard demonstrated competitive pace throughout the event and felt he had the potential for an even stronger result.
“Today’s result is very important,” Uriarte said, as reported by KTM Ajo. “The target today was actually just to learn as much as possible…”
The race began with Veda Ega Pratama starting from fourth on the grid, having shown promise during qualifying. He initially battled with fellow rookies Casey O’Gorman and Joel Esteban, briefly dropping to eighth before climbing back up to seventh on lap three. However, his race came to an end on lap four when a highside crash in Turn 11 brought his participation to a halt. Unfortunately, Esteban, riding directly behind Veda, was unable to avoid the incident.
The crash marked a disappointing end to the race for the Honda Team Asia rider, who had previously achieved a fifth-place finish in his debut Moto3 race in Thailand on March 1, 2026. The incident underscores the inherent risks of motorcycle racing and the challenges faced by young riders as they navigate the competitive world of Grand Prix racing.
While Veda’s race ended in disappointment, the Moto3 Americas Grand Prix delivered a thrilling finish with Guido Pini (Leopard Racing) taking the victory. Maximo Quiles (CFMOTO Valresa Aspar Team) finished a close second, just 0.056 seconds behind Pini, while Alvaro Carpe (Red Bull KTM Ajo) rounded out the podium in third. Valentin Perrone (Red Bull KTM Tech3) and Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing) completed the top five.
Brian Uriarte’s seventh-place finish placed him just outside the top five, and he was surrounded by experienced competitors. Rico Salmela (KTM Tech3) finished sixth, while Adrian Cruces (CIP Green Power) secured eighth. Matteo Bertelle (LEVEL UP – MTA) and further riders completed the top ten.
The race also highlighted the consistency of Brian Uriarte, who has become the sole debutant to score points in all three opening races of the 2026 Moto3 season. This early success demonstrates his potential and positions him as a rider to watch throughout the championship.
The Moto3 Americas Grand Prix provided a mix of excitement and disappointment, with Veda Ega Pratama’s crash serving as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of the sport. However, Brian Uriarte’s strong performance and consistent point-scoring run offer a positive outlook for the future.
Moto3 Americas 2026 – Full Results:
- 1. Guidi Pini (Leopard Racing) – 31:20.489
- 2. Maximo Quiles (Valresa Aspar Team) – +0.056
- 3. Alvaro Carpe (Red Bull Ajo) – +0.254
- 4. Valentin Perrone (Red Bull Tech3) – +0.445
- 5. Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing) – +9.192
- 6. Rico Salmela (KTM Tech3) – +15.075
- 7. Brian Uriarte (KTM Ajo) – +15.105
- 8. Adrian Cruces (CIP Green Power) – +14.914
- 9. Matteo Bertelle (Level Up – MTA) – +15.420
- 10. …
The Moto3 championship now moves on to its next round, where riders will look to build on their performances and continue their pursuit of valuable points. Fans can expect more thrilling racing and unpredictable moments as the season progresses.
What did you think of the race? Let us know in the comments below!
