Brian Uriarte claimed his maiden victory in the Moto3 class after prevailing in a last-lap dash at Mugello.
The Spanish rookie claimed his first victory in the lightweight class, and was untouchable after taking the lead on the final lap of the race.
Polesitter David Almansa was forced to withdraw after becoming ill overnight, with Hakim Danish promoted to the head of the pack in his absence.
Danish made the best start and maintained the lead of the race on the run down to Turn 1 ahead of Joel Kelso and Joel Esteban.
Kelso also had a good start, and was able to pass Danish for the lead down into Turn 6, and pulled enough of a gap to remain ahead throughout the first lap of the race.
Championship leader Maximo Quiles had a difficult start, dropping down from 15th on the grid to 18th, but the young Spaniard recovered to move into the top 10 within the first three laps.
Quiles was aided by the stereotypical Moto3 group race, with the top 15 riders all in touching distance, although there was a distinct two leading packs.
In the first seven laps, the lead changed several times with Danish and Kelso displaced by the KTM Ajo pairing of Brian Uriarte and Alvaro Carpe, before Quiles headed to the front.
Quiles’ lead was brief, with David Munoz heading to the top of the order as the second group headed by Eddie O’Shea got back across to make the battle for victory between nine riders.
O’Shea had the pace to challenge and worked his way through the riders ahead, and took a remarkable lead with six laps to go.
Adrian Fernandez regained the lead he lost from O’Shea and looked to build on at the front, holding firm with three remaining as the group behind scrapped for the podium positions.
The fight continued heading onto the final laps of the race, with Fernandez continuing to lead while the
Quiles was forced into a massive save out of the final corner on the penultimate lap
Uriarte forced Fernandez to sit up on the exit of Turn 6, which allowed the Spanish rookie to steal the lead of the race with just corners to spare.
Uriarte built enough of a lead on the battling pack behind to easily cross the line for his first
Carpe overcame the tussle behind to seal a KTM Ajo 1-2, with Danish completing the podium in third.
Long-time leader Fernandez was unfortunate to miss out on the podium in fourth, while Esteban completed the top five.
O’Shea earned his best result in Moto3 with sixth, with Munoz finishing seventh after staying out of the chaos.
Veda Pratama made progress in the last few laps to take eighth, as Kelso made sure the MLav Racing Team earned its first-ever double top 10 finish with his ninth place.
Jesus Rios completed the top 10, narrowly edging ahead of Quiles in 11th after a disappointing final few laps for the championship leader.
Matteo Bertelle took 12th in his home race, as Marco Morelli was 13th after struggling out of the final corner.
Scott Ogden was 14th at the flag, with Guido Pini taking the final point in 15th.
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