Gresini Racing has taken a huge risk for 2027, but this gamble could well pay off. Let's talk MotoGP se penche aujourd’hui sur Daniel HolgadoThe new recruit for the Italian team. What to make of this choice? Analysis.
A rider ready for MotoGP
In basketball, young university players with already honed physiques are said to be "NBA ready", be ready to take the plunge and play in the NBA, the most important league in the world. Pour cela, il faut qu’ils paraissent grands, déjà sereins, forts dans tous les compartiments du jeuWell, if I had to describe Daniel Holgado, I would say that he is MotoGP ready, so that you are already physically, psychologically and strategically ready for the premier category.
Ce type a tout. J’ai suivi de près son évolution, et d’abord, on peut se féliciter de sa formation française : il est arrivé fin 2021 en Moto3 par le biais de l’équipe CIP d’Alain Bronec, avant de rejoindre KTM Tech3 la même année. Il n’a fait que progresser sous les ordres d’Hervé Poncharal, until finishing as Moto3 world vice-champion in 2024.
Mon avis le concernant, lorsqu’il évoluait dans la plus petite des catégories, n’a jamais changé. Holgado était un bon pilote, voire très bon par moments, mais n’était pas dans la caste très fermée des cracks. Voyez-vous, en Moto3, une race spéciale émerge depuis le début de la décennie, which I have already discussed at length in various articles. Je fais référence à David Alonso, large champion en 2024, à Alvaro Carpe, à Maximo Quiles ou à Angel Piqueras. Holgado n’avait clairement par leur vitesse, leur view in battle. He was a regular (a quality of greatness), and, when he finished second overall, far behind the rocket Alonso, il n’avait d’ailleurs remporté qu’un seul Grand Prix.
Le truc, c’est que certains des meilleurs pilotes Moto3 n’arrivent pas à percer en Moto2. Ils sont extrêmement nombreux à y stagner, et j’irai jusqu’à dire que ce cap à passer est le plus important et difficile pour un pilote de Grand Prix. Beaucoup s’y sont cassé les dents, mais certainement pas Holgado. Il faut dire qu’il évolue avec, je crois, la meilleure formation du XXIe siècle, devant Ducati, Honda Repsol ou Yamaha : Aspar, Jorge Martinez's team, which produces champion after champion.
There, we discovered a driver who had maintained his consistency, and above all, who learned extremely quickly. Apart from a rough patch mid-season, in 2025 he immediately established himself among the favorites, taking the honorary title of best rookie. ahead of David Alonso, who everyone predicted would win —and who, ultimately, suffered from the symptom specific to Moto3 specialists that I mentioned earlier. He blew us all away, and even his speed increased tenfold. In the last eight Grands Prix of the 2025 season, he triumphed twice, secured four pole positions, two fastest laps, and two other podium finishes.
The momentum continued in 2026, with a hat trick in only the second round in Brazil. At the time of writing, he sits fifth in the overall standings, with one victory, three other podium finishes, and a pole position. It should be noted that he was disqualified at Le Mans for a technical infringement. Therefore, we cannot really hold him responsible.
Let's talk a little about Gresini
Now that that's out of the way, you can understand why I completely applaud Gresini's choice. Yes, it's true, Manuel Gonzalez should logically have been chosen given that he was runner-up in 2025 and is currently leading the championship. But by that logic, HRC should also have promoted him instead of David Alonso. The fact that Manuel Gonzalez deserves a ride should not prevent other pure talents from Moto2 from reaching the premier class. ; there is room for Gonzalez, Holgado, Alonso, and even Guevara if the teams did not insist heavily on recycling drivers who have already had twenty chances to shine in recent seasons, without success.
And besides, Holgado is only 21 years old. His age helps make him one of the most anticipated prospects. I truly believe he can succeed and surpass Joan Mir as early as next year.
The good choice
Regarding Holgado's point of view, this time, je pense affirmer sans me tromper qu’il a fait un excellent choix. On ne sait pas exactement quelles autres offres étaient sur la table, mais Gresini est une valeur sûre, d’autant plus que je pense que la Ducati jouera tout devant la saison prochaine. La formation de Nadia Padovani, considérée comme une famille, est la seule équipe satellite qui a imposé tous ses pilotes depuis sa prise d’indépendance en 2022 (soit cinq éléments, ce n’est pas rien). C’est le team idéal pour un profil comme le sien, j’en suis persuadé.
The only (minor) drawback to Gresini's recruitment: the unknowns surrounding the two drivers. Everyone has a good feeling about Holgado, granted, but it could also not work out – it's happened to others before him. Regarding Joan Mir, I believe that no other driver on the grid currently raises as many questions.But we'll have time to talk about it again before the start of the 2027 season.
Are you, like me, excited about seeing Daniel Holgado at Gresini? Tell me in the comments!
Cover photo: Aspar Team