Canet Is the Comeback King in Qatar to Take His First Moto2™ Win of 2025

The Triumph-powered Moto2™ field returned to action under the bright lights of Lusail this weekend for the only night race on the calendar. With cooler conditions and a mix of fast-flowing corners and heavy braking zones, the circuit demands precise throttle control and consistent power delivery—core strengths of the Triumph 765 triple engine.

Manuel Gonzalez made a statement in qualifying, bouncing back from a tough weekend in Texas to storm to a new all-time lap record of 1m 56.301, making full use of the 765cc engine’s strong top-end drive to take pole position ahead of Jake Dixon and Aron Canet.

Gonzalez launched cleanly off the line in Sunday’s race, leading Dixon and rookie Daniel Holgado into the opening corners. Canet, however, wheelied off the line and dropped back to 14th. Undeterred, he got his head down and quickly fought through the pack, using the smooth torque delivery of the Triumph triple to pick off rivals with precision.

At the front, Deniz Öncü powered from seventh on the grid to take the lead from Gonzalez, with Holgado following through into second demoting Gonzalez to third ahead of the fast-charging Canet, the quartet leading an eight rider battle for the lead showing how close the series is. 

This train was split up when Dixon crashed out holding up the riders immediately behind him allowing the front four to pull away slightly. 

Experience came into play in the closing stages as Canet turned up the pressure on Öncü, forcing the Turkish rider into a mistake that handed the lead to the Spaniard. Behind them, Gonzalez managed to pass Holgado for third, the rookie refusing to make it easy as he once again showed his strong potential.

Canet claimed his first win of the 2025 season—and with it, the Moto2 Championship lead—followed by Öncü with a career-best second place, and Gonzalez completing the podium. Holgado crossed the line fourth, ahead of Diogo Moreira and Barry Baltus after a fierce fight for fifth.