Jose Antonio Rueda dominated the Moto3 field to take victory by over four seconds in his home race at Jerez.
The KTM Ajo rider crossed the line 4.334s clear of title rival Angel Piqueras to take the lead of the championship after a resounding race win from pole.
The polesitter made the best start and held onto the lead going into the first corner ahead of teammate Alvaro Carpe.
Ryusei Yamanaka also made a strong start from the second row and put pressure on teammate Angel Piqueras, but the Spanish rider was able to respond later in the first lap.
David Munoz was attempting to make his way back through the field after being demoted to the back of the grid due to dangerous riding in qualifying, and made a … start.
The Spanish rider was forced the rejoin from the gravel trap on the opening lap, however, as he was collected by Ruche Moodley and David Almansa in their respective crashes.
At the front, Piqueras attempted to keep tabs on the leading Rueda, who seemed capable of managing the gap at around three tenths of a second each lap.
Joel Kelso seemed to have the pace to run with the front runners and found himself in second after a good move on Piqueras.
The front group of three were able to open a gap on the rest of the field, as they pulled three seconds clear of Yamanaka in fourth, but Rueda still held firm in the lead of the race.
Rueda set the fastest lap of the race with seven laps remaining to see him move eight tenths clear, which called Piqueras into action as he passed Kelso into second.
Piqueras made an error shortly after passing Kelso, which saw him drop back behind the Australian as they both lost ground on the leading KTM Ajo rider.
Rueda increased the gap even further to three seconds as he appeared to seal the victory with four laps to go, leaving Piqueras and Kelso to duel for the other podium places.
On the penultimate lap, Piqueras struck at the final corner to take second away from Kelso, but the Australian was once again able to respond.
The Spaniard once again found his way through at Turn 6, as the pair continued their duel through to the flag.
Rueda crossed the line to seal his dominant victory by over four seconds in his home grand prix.
Piqueras prevailed in the battle for second as Kelso was forced to settle for third.
Adrian Fernandez made a move in the final corner to take fourth, with Yamanaka demoted to fifth, narrowly ahead of countryman Taiyo Furusato in sixth.
Guido Pini stuck with the second group and took the flag in seventh, a second and a half clear of Carpe in eighth.
Jacob Roulstone led the next group of riders over the line in ninth as teammate Valentin Perrone completed the top 10 despite facing a long lap penalty.
Luca Lunetta ended the race in 11th, with Scott Ogden taking 12th after starting at the back of the grid.
Dennis Foggia scored points for the first time in his Moto3 career around the Jerez circuit in 13th ahead of Stefano Nepa in 14th.
Thai rider Tatchakorn Buasri completed the points finishers in 15th place.
