Manuel Gonzalez on team-mate Agius: “I hope he’ll help me”

In 2025, Manuel Gonzalez was the dominant rider in the Moto2 World Championship, particularly in the first half of the season. It looked as though the Intact rider was set to clinch the title. However, this was followed – particularly in the final third of the season – by a run of weaker races, bad luck and a disqualification. In the end, Diogo Moreira, who really hit his stride in the closing stages, clinched the World Championship title. Gonzalez had to settle for second place overall.

In 2026, Gonzalez has looked even stronger, with five wins to his name so far. In between, he’s had a few more disappointing races – particularly at Silverstone and Motegi – but the World Championship runner-up has learnt from last year. He’s better at handling difficult situations, as he proved again last weekend in Indonesia when he raced from 10th on the grid onto the podium. Title rival Izan Guevara (Boscoscuro) has recently secured three consecutive victories – Gonzalez once again faces an opponent who is really stepping up a gear as the season draws to a close.

Do Gonzalez and the Intact team have a different approach this year compared to 2025? “I think I’m just more relaxed. If a race doesn’t go as we expected, we don’t dwell on it and focus on the next one, as it’s a completely different race – without thinking about the last one,” emphasised the 24-year-old. “I don’t think anything has changed compared to last season. We know what we’re capable of and we’re carrying on as we always have, just as we did at the start of the championship.

Manuel Gonzalez: “We need to stay calm and not do anything crazy”

The Australian Grand Prix takes place from 23 to 25 October. Phillip Island is usually a good circuit for the Kalex. The Boscoscuro team have struggled more there in recent years. “Yes, I hope so. It’s true that it’s completely different there compared to Indonesia. The temperatures are so cold that everything changes,” the Kalex rider said, looking ahead. “I’m lucky that my team-mate is really fast there, so I’ll be able to learn from him. I hope he’ll help me and that we’ll be ahead of our rivals in the race. We need to stay calm and not do anything crazy – just carry on as we have been.”

Intact team-mate Senna Agius won his home Grand Prix in Australia last year. Have the two riders and the team discussed how they plan to approach the last five races of the season? “No, because ultimately everyone does their own job,” Gonzalez dismissed the idea. “Of course, we have to respect each other when we’re out on the track during the race, but we’ll just carry on working and learn from one another.”

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22.10.2026 - 23:55