Poor research: the ‘Gonzalez’ case remains a major MotoGP mystery

A year ago, it wasn’t just paddock insiders who were raising their eyebrows as it became apparent that Moto2 rider Manuel Gonzalez would not make the step up to the sport’s top tier. With an equal number of wins and podium finishes, it was ultimately the Brazilian Diogo Moreira who secured the only available MotoGP place. Whilst three riders – Ogura, Aldeguer and Chantra – were given the chance for the 2025 season, the team bosses in the premier class have now held back. Preference was given to veterans such as Franco Morbidelli and Jack Miller, who were offered one-year contracts.

Never mind, 2026 it is then – that’s the view of Manuel Gonzalez, who never once spoke negatively about the situation and bravely kept his foot on the throttle. In the first half of the current Moto2 season, the Madrid-born rider opened up a lead of over 50 points over his nearest rival. Manuel Gonzalez finished every race – missing out on the podium just four times, including at the Silverstone Grand Prix.

Just how good Gonzalez is was evident in the sweltering conditions in England. The World Championship runner-up paced himself perfectly throughout the race, analysed the field with great precision, and was in the lead at the finish – yet still made a rare mistake. The Intact rider was firmly convinced he was on the final lap – but there was still one lap to go before the next 25-point haul. It was not the first time that Gonzalez had studied and worn down the competition during the race, ultimately drawing on that crucial reserve to secure victory.

Manuel Gonzalez in Barcelona: Einer von bislang vier Siegen 2026

Foto: Ronny Lekl

A prime example was the race at the Barcelona circuit. It was a masterclass – by his own admission, Gonzalez rode the best race of his career, a textbook victory with which the Spaniard further extended his lead at the top of the standings for the German team at a crucial stage of the year.

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Barcelona – and the MotoGP contract failed to materialise

It was also a period of intense contract negotiations. Any rationally thinking MotoGP team manager with a vacant seat – and there were still quite a few of those in early summer – should have sent Gonzalez’s management a signed blank contract immediately. Any argument against Manuel Gonzalez could be – and can still be – refuted.

2026: Red Bull Rookie Manuel Gonzalez

Foto: Gold and Goose

Manuel Gonzalez is a late bloomer – wrong. Gonzalez made his debut at the age of 14 in the Red Bull Rookies Cup, scored 40 points and was champion of the European Talent Cup a year later. Two years later, at the age of 17, he was Supersport 300 World Champion; Gonzalez also won races after moving up to the 600cc World Championship. From 2022, he moved to the Moto2 World Championship, securing his first podium in his second year, his first victory in his third, and taking the lead in the championship standings after switching to the Intact team. As a nine-time Grand Prix winner and world champion, Gonzalez is now 24.

Podestplatz für Manuel Gonzalez beim Wüsten-GP in Katar 2023

Foto: Gold and Goose

Gonzalez is too slow – see the World Championship standings. Gonzalez isn’t a team player – no. Manuel Gonzalez acts with composure and is a valued team-mate known for his sense of humour and common sense. Manuel Gonzalez is Spanish – correct. But given the reality of the situation, the argument for another Spaniard cannot be credibly put forward. After all, with Dani Holgado, David Alonso and Izan Guevara, there will be two Spaniards and a Colombian living in Spain competing in MotoGP in 2027.

MotoGP veterans are once again being given preference

As things stand, the World Championship runner-up Guevara, the third-placed Agius, the fifth-placed Holgado and the sixth-placed Alonso will move up – whilst the clear leader in the standings, with an impeccable track record, is likely to be seen back in Moto2 in 2027. For – and the oddities continue – even in the Superbike World Championship, which is packed with factory teams, there will be no place for Manuel Gonzalez. For the second time, the veterans of the premier class – namely Morbidelli, Miller and Binder – are reportedly set to be given preference by Ducati, Yamaha and BMW as decorated seasoned riders. Whilst negotiations regarding the remaining rider contracts are still ongoing in both paddocks, the best deal so far continues to come from the Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP team.

This leaves Manuel Gonzalez with nothing more than another attempt to work his way into MotoGP – ideally as a two-time Moto2 world champion. So far, only one rider has managed this: Johann Zarco. When the Frenchman was finally allowed into MotoGP, he was just 26 years old. Speaking of Zarco, the LCR Honda rider is set to return in 2027 following a serious injury. That is when ‘JZ5’s’ contract expires.

The conclusion remains the same

There are strong arguments in favour of each of the four Moto2 graduates from the 2026 cohort. Senna Agius and David Alonso offer youth and exceptional intelligence, with the latter having also completed his training under mentor ‘Aspar’ Martinez with distinction (2024 Moto3 World Championship title). Guevara scores points for his speed and the strategic advantage of riding for a team directly linked to MotoGP. Even for Holgado, who finished fifth in the World Championship, compelling arguments could be found. Yet when all the points are taken together, Manuel Gonzalez remains the most complete rider in Moto2. Any doubts about this can easily be dispelled; a sober analysis of the Moto2 years 2023–2026 provides all the information needed.

2024 im Gresini-Leder: Gonzalez siegte in Japan vor Ogura und Salac

Foto: Gold and Goose