Marc Marquez protege set for Moto3 debut in America

Maximo Quiles to make grand prix debut at COTA

Maximo Quiles, Aspar Moto3 team, 2025 Jerez Moto3 test
Maximo Quiles, Aspar Moto3 team, 2025 Jerez Moto3 test
© Gold and Goose

Marc Marquez protege Maximo Quiles will make his grand prix debut this weekend in the🦄 Moto3 class at the Americas GP with the Aspar squad.

Quiles is one of the hottest young properties in the MotoGP paddock coming i꧅nto the 2025 season, ha𝓰ving won the European Talent Cup in his rookie campaign in 2021 and repeating that feat in 2023.

He would go on to be a top three championship fi༺nisher in the Red Bull Rookies Cup as well as wins in the🐬 Junior GP World Championship to net a Moto3 contract with Aspar for 2025.

Quiles’ grand prix debut has been made possible by a la🤪te-seaso❀n change to the age limit rules last year, which altered the wording of its exemptions.

At only 17, Quiles is a year under the regulated minimum age to race🌳 in grands prix.

Originally a top three rider💟 in the standings in Rookies Cup from “the previous season” 🌠is allowed an exemption to step up to Moto3.

With Quiles fifth in the Rookies Cup last year, his Moto3 debut would have needed to be def🙈erred to 20𒉰26.

However, a tweak to the rules altered the word🤪ing of the exemption to allow a rider who finished top three “in any season” - very much seen as the ‘Quiles rule’.

Despite receiving an age exemp🌟tion, under the altered rules he was still too young to take part in the opening two rounds of 2025, with Quiles only turning 17 on 19 Mar♚ch.

“I'm really looking forward to getting on the bike in Austin,” Quile💧s said.

“I'm a little upset about n😼ot being in Thailand or Argentina, but my time in the world champion♊ship is finally starting.

“I see a high level🦩 in the Moto3 class, and I'll have to p༒ush myself to give my all.

“In the first races, the goal will be to learn and enjoy myself, but, of course, I al♉so want to do well.”

Quiles’ talent has seen him taken under the wing of Vertical Management, the company run by the Marquez b🦋rothers, with the youngster spotted training wit🤪h the duo at various points last year.

The 17-year-old isn’t without controversy, though, after he was hit with ♐a race ban last year 🧸for an incident during a Rookies Cup race at Mugello.

Quiles has already tested for the Aspar team in pre-season. He was replaced by Jakob Rosenthaler in the first🔯 two rounds of 2025, wi🎉th the Austrian scoring no points.

Read More