Alessandro Tonucci’s Moto3 team snapped up top talent Benat Fernandez

Benat Fernandez’s international career got off to a flying start – albeit outside the GP paddock. On his debut in the Supersport 300 World Championship in the spring of 2025, he secured pole position and victory. Following further victories at the Chinese Kove circuit and thanks to remarkable consistency, his debut season ended with him clinching the title. At the same time, the then 17-year-old made his mark in the Red Bull Rookies Cup – finishing 6th last year.

His involvement in MotoGP’s talent development programme continues in 2026. After ten races, Fernandez leads the Cup, despite scoring no points in either race at his last outing at the Sachsenring. One thing is already certain: should Benat Fernandez be crowned the 2026 Cup champion, the next great Spanish talent will not, as is customary, move up to the official Red Bull KTM Ajo junior team.

Benat Fernandez: Spitzenreiter im Red Bull Rookies Cup

Foto: Gold and Goose

Alessandro Tonucci was quicker off the mark. The MTA team principal presented Fernandez with a contract for the 2027 Moto3 season. The Rookies’ Cup leader did not hesitate and secured his World Championship ride on the LevelUP MTA KTM. Matteo Bertelle and Joel Esteban currently ride for the team. Tonucci, a fellow Italian, shares an extraordinary tale of hardship with Bertelle. Bertelle’s serious injury, which included a coma following a practice crash in 2025, caused consternation and led to a reorganisation of the MTA team. One of several replacement riders was Joel Esteban, who impressed with his performances and earned a place for 2026.

At present, however, Bertelle is in a better position to continue his career in familiar surroundings. With a third-place finish at the Sachsenring, Bertelle moved into the top 10 of the World Championship standings. Esteban is currently in 13th place.

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Back to rising star Benat Fernandez. His big moment could come the year after next. When Yamaha’s new factory bikes are introduced in 2028, Fernandez will be able to capitalise on his experience in the paddock of the production-based World Championship.