Jürgen Lingg (Intact GP) in Australia: “Senna will be riding for victory again”

The 2026 Moto2 season is rapidly shaping up to be the most successful campaign since the project began for the German Intact GP team run by Stefan Keckeisen and Wolfgang Kuhn, with team principal Jürgen Lingg. Whilst most Moto2 riders were still fine-tuning their set-ups, runner-up in the world championship Manuel Gonzalez stormed to victory in Race 1. Right behind him – his team-mate Senna Agius. It was not uncommon for the Intact riders to appear together at the front of the field. At Jerez, the benchmark for rider-bike performance, they achieved a dream double victory, with the youngster from the other side of the world taking the win.

By the middle of the year, the signs strongly pointed to Manuel Gonzalez as the 2026 champion; the Madrid-born rider’s performances were simply too impressive and composed. Although less consistent, Senna Agius managed, with many highlights, to remain in contention for the runners-up spot – whilst simultaneously catching the eye of the MotoGP teams.

The story is well known: whilst Gonzalez will continue to ride in Moto2 for Intact GP, Tech3 boss Günther Steiner snapped up the younger Agius. The picture in the World Championship standings has changed. Manuel Gonzalez still holds the lead. However, his lead has shrunk by a factor of 10. The trend speaks volumes – his closest rival, Izan Guevara, has won the last three Grand Prix races in a row.

Lingg (Intact GP) mit seinen Moto2-Assen Gonzalez und Agius (re.)

Foto: Gold and Goose

Senna Agius has also hit a rough patch. Following several retirements through no fault of his own, he has slipped back to sixth place in the World Championship standings. A third-place finish is now the best he can hope for.

Topic of the week

Topic of the week: MotoGP’s new schedule proved highly controversial

In 2027, MotoGP will also enter the 850cc era with a new schedule. It was not so much the changes themselves as the way the decisions were reached that caused a stir. A prime example of: ‘Talking helps’.

Read More

TV Program

Today

Phillip Island: International Stream

MotoGP World Championship

23.10.2026 - 23:35

And now the Australian GP. The starting position is incredibly exciting. It is considered a certainty that the young Australian in the German team has every chance of repeating his home victory from 2025 and thus halting Izan Guevara’s run. At the same time, with another victory, Agius would also take points away from Gonzalez – and thus the team – in the battle for what could be their first Moto2 riders’ title.

Team boss Jürgen Lingg has his own take on things ahead of the final races at Phillip Island. Lingg speaking to SPEEDWEEK.com: “With five races still to go, we won’t be assigning any positions within the team – certainly not. Senna is racing at his home track here and has it all in his own hands. He can and will ride for the win – and if he takes a few points off Izan Guevara in the process, then that’s fine too. Deliberately having Senna ride behind Manu is simply not an option here.”

Despite another strong qualifying session from Izan Guevara, the team manager believes anything is possible. “Some feared the hype surrounding Senna would distract him, but that’s not the case. It’s amazing how he’s handling it. I actually see him as even stronger than last year.”

Manuel Gonzalez führt die Moto2-WM an

Foto: Gold and Goose

And what about Manuel Gonzalez, who has a lead of just 5.5 points with five races to go? Lingg: “I’ve got a good feeling about this one too. Manu didn’t really feel very comfortable in either session, but he was quick and, particularly when it comes to pace over many laps, he’s already very close. That’s a good sign for me.”

Race outcomes can’t be predicted – and certainly not on the stormy racing island of Phillip Island – but if one were to sketch out an ideal scenario from the Germans’ perspective, it would be youngster Agius securing the next home victory for the fans at Phillip Island, whilst Manuel Gonzalez battles it out with Izan Guevara and the rest of the tightly packed Moto2 field.

The situation ahead of Saturday’s Moto2 qualifying. Senna Agius was pipped to second place by Izan Guevara by 0.018 seconds. Championship leader Manuel Gonzalez finished seventh in qualifying. In the Team World Championship, Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP sits unchallenged in first place.