AUSTIN, TX – Senna Agius of Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP emerged victorious in a dramatic Moto2 Americas Grand Prix held Sunday at the Circuit of the Americas, while Indonesian riders Mario Aji and Veda Ega Pratama both faced setbacks during the race. The event, held March 30, 2026, was marred by multiple crashes and a red flag, ultimately testing the resilience of the riders.
The race began with immediate drama as a first-lap collision between championship leader Dani Holgado and local favorite Joe Roberts sent both riders tumbling out of contention. Further chaos unfolded on the second lap when a multi-rider incident involving seven racers at Turn 11 forced race officials to halt proceedings with a red flag. After a brief delay for track cleanup and rider assessment, the race resumed, but not without significant implications for the standings.
Mario Aji, starting from 19th position, initially showed promise, gaining positions as the race progressed. However, his hopes for a points finish were dashed in the closing laps when he crashed out with just two laps remaining. According to Honda Team Asia manager Hiroshi Aoyama, Aji was battling for a points-paying position at the time of the incident. This result sees Aji drop to 19th in the Moto2 championship standings.
“The Moto2 race was quite complicated, especially due to the red flag and restart,” Aoyama said in a statement released Monday. “That made the race shorter and changed the situation for all the riders. This race wasn’t easy for our riders either. Unfortunately, Mario crashed towards the end of the race while fighting for points. It’s another disappointing result after a tricky weekend.”
While Aji’s race ended in disappointment, the front of the pack was engaged in a fierce battle for the lead. Barry Baltus initially held the advantage, followed closely by Alonso Lopez. However, Agius quickly closed the gap, overtaking Baltus on the third lap. Baltus was later penalized with a Long Lap Penalty for an unsafe pass, further hindering his chances of victory.
Agius then found himself locked in a tight duel with Celestino Vietti, with the Italian rider briefly taking the lead with three laps to head. Agius responded, reclaiming the top spot on the final two laps and ultimately securing the win. Vietti finished a close second, while Izan Guevara completed the podium in third place.
The race also saw challenges for Taiyo Furusato, Aji’s teammate at Honda Team Asia, who finished 18th. Aoyama expressed his belief that both riders were capable of a stronger performance. “Taiyo finished in 18th position, but honestly, we believe both riders should have been able to fight further up the front than today’s finish,” he stated.
Adding to the difficult day for Indonesian motorsport, Veda Ega Pratama also failed to finish the race, crashing out during the Moto3 Americas Grand Prix. This double disappointment underscores the challenges faced by Indonesian riders on the international stage.
The Moto2 Americas Grand Prix proved to be a thrilling and unpredictable event, showcasing the competitive nature of the series. Agius’s victory marks a significant achievement for the Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP team, while the crashes of Aji and others serve as a reminder of the risks inherent in motorcycle racing.
The next round of the Moto2 World Championship is scheduled for April 12, 2026, at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve in Portimão, Portugal. Riders will be looking to rebound from the challenges faced in Austin and continue their pursuit of the championship title.
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