It’s the end result that counts, and Arón Canet proved just that this Sunday by winning the Moto2 Qatar GP, despite a disastrous start that seemed to dash his hopes at Losail.
Canet (Fantic Racing Lino Sonego/Kalex) had a terrible launch and dropped to 14th, while Manuel González (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP/Kalex) made the most of his pole position to hold onto the lead early on.
LIGHTS ARE OUT IN #Moto2! 🚥 @18manugonzalez leads as Canet has a bad start #QatarGP 🇶🇦 pic.twitter.com/wI0smPbTtt
— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) April 13, 2025
Jake Dixon (Elf Marc VDS/Boscoscuro) slotted into second, and rookie Daniel Holgado (CFMOTO Inde Aspar/Kalex) impressed with a strong start to take third – before moving up to second on lap two. Dixon was then overtaken by Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo/Kalex) and Albert Arenas (Italjet Gresini/Kalex).
The battle for the lead intensified between González, Holgado, and Öncü. With 14 laps to go, Öncü was out front, followed by Holgado and Arenas. González dropped three spots in a single move.
After his failed start, Canet began a stunning comeback, charging through the field into podium contention and ultimately into the fight for victory. At the halfway mark of the 18-lap race, he was already in second.
With seven laps to go, Dixon crashed out of fifth place, ending his race and likely his hopes of leading the championship.
BIG DRAMA 💥 @jakedixonracing tried to save it but he crashes out#QatarGP 🇶🇦 pic.twitter.com/nhkIIOnkN5
— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) April 13, 2025
On lap 13, Canet completed his charge to the front, overtaking Öncü to take the lead. The Spaniard then began to pull away. Holgado, meanwhile, lost third place to González.
Aron Canet puts the pressure and goes into the lead 👊#QatarGP 🇶🇦 pic.twitter.com/mx0RHPOChq
— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) April 13, 2025
From there, no one could match Canet’s pace, and he crossed the finish line 1.195s ahead to claim his first win of the year. Öncü held off González in a tight battle for second. Holgado finished fourth, with Diogo Moreira (Italtrans Racing Team/Kalex) rounding out the top five.
