Senna Agius on his MotoGP chance: “Tech3-KTM holds all the cards”

Having finished third in the Moto2 World Championship, Senna Agius heads to the Sachsenring for his IntactGP team’s home race with confidence. The 21-year-old Australian is one of the biggest surprises of the current season and is regarded as a promising candidate for promotion to MotoGP with Tech3-KTM in 2027.

In an exclusive one-on-one interview with SPEEDWEEK.com in the Sachsenring paddock, Agius spoke about his sporting development, the status of negotiations and why, in his view, his nationality does not give him an advantage in the battle for promotion.

Agius holds his own against future MotoGP riders

In his third full Moto2 World Championship season, Agius has made the transition from a fast prospect to a consistently top-tier rider. He is going head-to-head with super-talents such as David Alonso and MotoGP newcomer Daniel Holgado.

“Yes, I’m really happy with my development and my maturity this year. Together, we’ve taken a big step forward – also in terms of professionalism in the pits and the way we work. We’ve definitely raised our game to a new level, and that’s reflected in the consistency of our results,” explained the IntactGP rider.

Agius sees the key to this, above all, in his changed approach. “My motto in the pits this year is quite simple: simple racing is fast racing. We just get on with our work, focus on ourselves and stay calm. That’s the key.”

Mentally, in particular, the Australian feels much more mature than in previous years. “This year I’ve become much more mentally stable – in high-pressure situations and during difficult moments. Everything a professional sportsman needs to consistently be at the top. I’ve made a big step forward in this area and am therefore very satisfied. That’s the difference this season. Besides, I’m only 21 years old. It’s my third year, I’m gaining more and more experience – and it’s showing.”

MotoGP needs an Australian, but...

Agius’s strong performances have brought him to the attention of several MotoGP officials. A move to Tech3-KTM is seen as a realistic option for 2027. Team principal Günther Steiner is keeping an eye on the Australian, as is championship leader Manuel Gonzalez, whilst Luca Marini is also being touted as a candidate.

The fact that Australia urgently needs a rider in the premier class ahead of the planned 2027 MotoGP Grand Prix in Adelaide is attracting further attention. All the signs suggest that Jack Miller will be leaving MotoGP at the end of this season. At Pramac, he is set to lose his place to Izan Guevara. Agius would then be his country’s great hope. However, he does not expect this to give him any advantage.

“No, that won’t help me. Of course, it would be good for Australia and for everyone involved if that were to happen. But that won’t be the deciding factor in whether I get the chance or not. That depends entirely on my performance on the track. Nothing else matters. It doesn’t matter which country I come from,” Agius clarified.

That is precisely why a potential promotion to MotoGP would mean so much to him. “If I move up to MotoGP next year, I’ll be particularly proud because I know I’ve earned this chance. Because I’ve put in the work for it. It would be important for Australia to have a rider back on the grid. But at the moment, that doesn’t give me any extra points personally.”

Tech3 as the only chance: Günther Steiner holds the cards

According to the Australian, little has changed recently in terms of the general state of negotiations. When asked whether anything had happened in recent weeks, Agius replied succinctly: “I don’t think so.” Nor does he currently expect a concrete decision. “No,” he said when asked about a deadline.

“I think KTM and Günther know that they’re practically the last remaining option. There’s nowhere else for us to turn. Günther once said: ‘When you’re the last one left, you hold all the cards.’ That’s exactly how it is. They set the timing, and that’s perfectly fine.”

Agius is deliberately ignoring the pressure this creates. “Of course it puts us under pressure and gives us a lot to think about. But I’m focusing entirely on the track. I’m in a really good run of form at the moment. I understand that, given their situation, they have to wait and see. I respect that and am simply trying to earn the chance through my performances, should it come.”