MADRID — Dani Holgado will become the first confirmed rookie on the 2027 MotoGP grid after securing a promotion to Gresini Ducati, the Italian team announced Thursday.
The 21-year-old Spaniard will graduate from Moto2 to the premier class next season, where he is expected to partner fellow Spaniard Joan Mir in an all-new rider lineup at Gresini.
The team confirmed Holgado’s arrival through its official social media channels, making him the first Moto2 rider to secure a place on next year’s MotoGP grid as the rider market continues to take shape.
Holgado has steadily built his reputation over the past three seasons. After finishing runner-up to David Alonso in the 2024 Moto3 world championship, he moved into Moto2 with the Aspar Team, where he immediately adapted to the intermediate category.
His rookie Moto2 campaign exceeded expectations as he claimed two victories and finished sixth in the championship standings, establishing himself as one of the series’ brightest young talents.
The Spaniard carried that momentum into the current season, producing a strong start that briefly elevated him to the top of the Moto2 championship.
Podium finishes in the opening rounds, highlighted by victory in Brazil, allowed Holgado to emerge as an early title contender before the championship battle tightened through the middle portion of the campaign.
Although he has since slipped to sixth in the standings, Holgado’s consistency and race-winning potential convinced Gresini to hand him an opportunity in MotoGP.
The promotion marks another significant step in the rider’s rapid rise through the Grand Prix ranks.
Holgado will enter MotoGP with one of the championship’s most competitive satellite teams, which has become known for developing young talent while benefiting from Ducati machinery capable of challenging for victories.
His arrival also signals the beginning of what is expected to be one of the largest rookie classes in recent MotoGP history.
Several other Moto2 riders are widely expected to secure premier-class promotions before the start of the 2027 season.
Moto2 rival David Alonso, who defeated Holgado to the Moto3 title two years ago, is expected to join Honda’s factory program, while former Moto3 world champion Izan Guevara has been heavily linked with Pramac Yamaha.
Tech3 KTM is also preparing to welcome another newcomer, with Senna Agius and current Moto2 championship leader Manuel Gonzalez reportedly competing for the Austrian manufacturer’s remaining seat.
The expected influx of young riders is not limited to Moto2 graduates.
World Superbike championship leader Nicolo Bulega is also widely anticipated to move into MotoGP next season after being linked with VR46 Ducati, further strengthening the new generation entering the championship.
Holgado’s signing represents the first official piece of that puzzle as teams continue finalizing their lineups ahead of the 2027 campaign.
With several seats still to be confirmed across the grid, the coming weeks are expected to bring further announcements that will complete one of MotoGP’s most significant rider market reshuffles in recent years.
