2026 Moto2 World Championship: Izan Guevara puts championship leader Manuel Gonzalez under pressure

On the Thursday before the Aragon Grand Prix, Pramac Racing announced that Moto2 star Izan Guevara would be moving up to MotoGP in 2027 and would become Toprak Razgatlioglu’s new team-mate. The Spaniard is now the third rider from the intermediate class to be confirmed as making the move to the premier class next year – alongside Aspar riders Daniel Holgado and David Alonso.

Guevara’s future is thus secure. For the 22-year-old, the aim in 2026 is to bid a fond farewell to the Moto2 World Championship and give it his all once again in the final races. Currently second in the championship, he has a good chance of winning the title. “I want to bring this chapter to a close in the best possible way,” said Guevara.

In qualifying at Aragon, the 2022 Moto3 World Champion secured second on the grid for Boscoscuro, behind Gresini rider Alonso Lopez. Championship leader Manuel Gonzalez (Intact GP) started from the second row. In the 19-lap race, Guevara initially managed to hold his position. At the front, pole-setter Lopez was comfortably lapping the field. With three laps to go, Guevara was caught by Aspar rider David Alonso. The two then engaged in a thrilling duel on the very last lap. Alonso overtook Guevara several times, but Guevara countered immediately on each occasion. The Pramac Yamaha rider prevailed in the final corner and crossed the line 0.081 seconds ahead of Alonso and 0.800 seconds behind Lopez.

“It was an incredible race. I really enjoyed it, but I also suffered a lot,” said Izan Guevara after the race. “I’m very proud of how I handled it. I think it was one of my best races on a Moto2 bike. In the closing stages, Alonso was setting a really fast pace, and I tried to learn from him without getting too close, because I knew I might overheat the tyres otherwise. Then it all came down to the final lap, and the battle was spectacular. I really enjoyed fighting for it, and I’m truly proud to have finished second.”

32.5 points separate Gonzalez and Guevara

World Championship rival Gonzalez finished sixth – Guevara closed the gap on his compatriot to 32.5 points in the overall standings. “These are very important points for the championship, especially as we’ve managed to reduce the gap to the leader,” emphasised Guevara. “That’s what pleases me the most. The leader isn’t at the top for no reason, and it’s never easy to take points off him. So it’s a positive for us to finish second and reduce the gap.”

Guevara relished performing in front of his home fans. “I’d also like to thank the Spanish fans, because they were incredible, as always. No matter which circuit we race on – the support is fantastic, and I hope we put on a good show for them with that final lap,” said the man from Palma de Mallorca. “I have very fond memories of Aragon and have won here many times in the past, so this circuit is very special to me. Finishing the weekend with a second place makes it even more special.”

In the remaining nine races, the title race in the 2026 Moto2 World Championship will continue to heat up. Izan Guevara’s goal is, of course, to move up to MotoGP as world champion – just like Diogo Moreira did last year.