Why Assen Moto2 winner Diogo Moreira is in pole position to graduate to MotoGP

Diogo Moreira’s first Moto2 victory last Sunday in Assen has underlined the cause of a rider currently exploring multiple paths to a possible MotoGP debut next season.

The Italtrans rider is a strong candidate to be one of next year’s rookies in the premier class. His speed is backed up by his results on the track. Moreover, he represents Brazil – a country that will return to the championship calendar next year – and has a long list of enthusiastic sponsors. All of this puts him in a strong position compared to other Moto2 riders also vying for a MotoGP debut in 2026.

Sunday’s win in the Netherlands made him the first Brazilian to win a Moto2 race. Considering the trajectory the 21-year-old from Sao Paulo had been on, the victory – starting from pole position and controlling the race – seemed inevitable. His triumph at Assen capped off a streak of three podiums in the last four races, a period in which he has earned more points (78) than any of his rivals.

After a rocky start to the season – more hesitant than initially expected – Moreira has suddenly come alive, precisely at the time when it could have the greatest impact on his future.

“I’m fully focused on Moto2 and what happens on the track. What happens off it, I leave to the people who handle that,” said Moreira after his triumph, referring primarily to his manager, Diego Silvente.

Motorsport.com understands that there are several ongoing negotiations pointing to a MotoGP step for Moreira. The most plausible one suggests he lands at Pramac Yamaha, alongside Toprak Razgatlioglu, which would mean both Miguel Oliveira and Jack Miller, the team’s current pair, would need to find new rides.

Dutch GP Moto2 winner Diogo Moreira, Italtrans Racing Team

Photo by: Red Bull Content Pool

Miller has been in talks to extend his current contract, which expires at the end of the year. Oliveira’s case is different: he signed a two-year deal that includes a performance clause similar to the one that created a rift between Jorge Martin and Aprilia – but in favour of the team. That means Yamaha could release him if he’s not in a specific position in the standings by a certain point. As with Martin, the situation has been complicated by injuries – Oliveira has already missed four races.

Moreira is also helped by the partnership he signed recently with Yamaha Brazil, confirming the brand’s interest in the South American market. In fact, he completed a test at the Balaton circuit a few days ago on a Yamaha R1.

A Razgatlioglu–Moreira duo would turn Paolo Campinoti’s squad into a sort of ‘junior team’, which is how Yamaha originally envisioned the relationship after Pramac switched from Ducati for this season.

The ideal scenario for Pramac would be for Moreira to stay one more year in Moto2, but with its own team in that class, before stepping up to MotoGP in 2027. However, Motorsport.com believes that if Moreira has to remain in the intermediate class for another year, his preference would be to stay with his current team, where he feels comfortable.

In addition to Pramac, other options were under discussion at Assen, though these talks are less advanced. One is Aprilia, which would like to place Moreira with Trackhouse. He was one of the candidates to ride the RS-GP at the post-Aragon Grand Prix test, but he turned down the offer and Manuel Gonzalez did the test instead.

Another potential destination is Honda, which is caught in a game of musical chairs and awaiting the resolution of the Martin–Aprilia situation.