Will Quartararo go to Honda? When will Bagnaia join Yamaha? Has Alex Marquez decided to switch to KTM? Will Acosta be Marc's teammate? In recent days, the MotoGP rider market has come alive, and there has been no shortage of rumours about market movements. At the center are the so-called top riders, who will be the first to move on the chessboard, and then the other pieces will find their place.
However, the team managers are not only moving in MotoGP but also in Moto2, the class where young talents grow and make a name for themselves. After all, in recent years, the world championship has structured these categories as a training ground and springboard. Gone are the days when there were champions in the lower classes, those who built their careers in the 125 and 250 classes. Nowadays, those classes are only used to get to MotoGP (in the shortest time possible).
The latest batch of young riders has also been extremely interesting, and it is logical that the manufacturers want to snap up the best talent. This is also because the 2027 bikes (with the regulation change) will be less sophisticated (with a reduction in electronics and the abolition of lowering devices) and the arrival of Pirelli tyres will be an advantage for those who have raced in recent years with Italian tyres.
Above all, the name of David Alonso stands out. Moto3 world champion in 2023 (dominating the season), last year he began his Moto2 career not without some difficulties, but in the second half of the season he showed his talent. One victory and five podiums in his debut season were his calling card. Furthermore, and not to be overlooked, David has a Colombian passport (despite being born and raised in Spain), which is a significant plus for MotoGP, which is trying to break away from Spanish domination. It is no secret that Ducati has had its eyes on Alonso for some time, but it seems that the Colombian's manager has made significant financial demands. At Borgo Panigale, they have a strict policy on rookies, and salaries are fixed and not very high. Newcomers must invest in their growth, knowing that with the Rossa, opportunities are plentiful. If David really wanted more money, the alternative would be Honda.
There is also another interesting name, Dani Holgado. The Valencian immediately found his rhythm in Moto2 in 2025, winning two races, finishing on the podium five times, and earning the title of best rookie. Dani has been with KTM since the beginning and could make the jump to the premier class with the Austrian manufacturer, completing the orange path from Moto3 to MotoGP, as Acosta, among others, has done.
These seem to be the two most valuable pieces, but they aren't the only ones, because Collin Veijer is also worth mentioning. The Dutchman also made his Moto2 debut last year and finished on the podium in the penultimate GP in Portugal. His season has been on the rise, but above all, it is his passport that is interesting. A non-Spanish rider is always welcome in the premier class, especially if he is as fast as Collin. For the same reason, there is also talk of Senna Agius, an Australian who won two Moto2 GPs last year.
These are the names currently circulating in the paddock. However, there are other candidates. Manu Gonzalez was mentioned last year, and he even tested the Trackhouse team's Aprilia at Aragon. However, it remained a one-off, partly because, as we know, MotoGP does not need another Spaniard. The same seems to apply to Izan Guevara, who has also already tested a MotoGP bike (the Pramac team's Yamaha).
And what about the Italians? Celestino Vietti also had a taste of MotoGP in recent months, riding the Ducati of the injured Morbidelli in the Valencia tests. The problem is that the rider from Piedmont is in his sixth year in Moto2 and has never managed to make the leap forward that was expected of him, thus missing many opportunities in the past to move up to the premier class. The same can be said for Tony Arbolino. The two Italians may have their last chance to make the big leap, but they need results.