Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1544260
Alonso to Honda, Holgado to Gresini? C FMOTO Aspar David Alonso and Dani Holgado, two leading names in this year's Moto2 title fight, are hot - ly tipped for a MotoGP promotion in 2027. Those thoughts have accelerated over the past two weeks. Alonso, who fought through from 17th to fourth in an astonishing ride at the U.S. GP, is believed to have long been on the wish list of Honda, with an agreement already in place—to which Honda team has yet to be de - termined. Meanwhile, Gresini is edging toward extend - ing its agreement with Ducati. The hot rumor in Austin was that the team had moved quickly to sign up Moto2 title leader Dani Holgado to replace Fermin Aldegu - er, off to VR46 Ducati, as reported by Spanish daily AS. Enea Bastianini could also end his un - happy time at KTM by returning to the team with whom he finished third overall in 2022. Neil Morrison WIND IN THE P30 The new wave is coming, with David Alonso (left) and Dani Holgado (right) tipped to join the MotoGP field in 2027. Where Are All The Rider Announcements? T he lack of 2027 announce- ments is down to ongoing negotiations between MotoGP Sports Entertainment Group (MSEG) and the Motorcycle Sports Manufacturers' Associa- tion (MSMA) to extend their stay in the class from 2027 to 2031. As of yet, no manufacturer has signed to continue in MotoGP be- yond this year, even though work is well underway on their new 850cc machines for 2027. Tensions between the two par- ties have been high over recent months. On its side, MSEG is keen for manufacturers to invest more in promotion to help raise both their and the sport's profile. "Everybody is extremely excit - ed about the sport, and nobody wants to leave," said MotoGP Chief Sporting Officer Carlos Ezpeleta in Thailand. "It was only after the Liberty Media transac- tion that things got reassessed. Everybody wants to be part of success, but if they want that, then they need to be proactively part of that success." There has also been a sense of frustration among the cur - rent teams. Under Liberty Me- dia's new ownership, they've been pushing for an agreement similar to the one in Formula One—rather than receiving a flat fee from MotoGP each year, they want a percentage of earnings. The manufacturers thus decided to hold back their 2027 rider announcements as a bargaining chip in the negotiations. The fact MotoGP has been con - tinually imploring them to present themselves in a more professional manner didn't go down well when the series' image was brought into question by the ramshackle events of the Brazilian GP. Yet meetings with the MSMA and Liberty Media CEO Derek Chang took place in Austin and were described as "positive" by Aprilia Racing CEO Massimo Rivola. A breakthrough is believed to be closer between both parties. Neil Morrison Liberty Media CEO Derek Chang was in Austin holding meetings between Liberty Media and the MSMA to try and cement plans for the championship until at least 2031.