Mat Oxley suggests Manuel Gonzalez missed out on 2026 MotoGP ride due to Dorna ‘hate’

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Manuel Gonzalez could wind up winning the 2025 Moto2 title and still be left without a MotoGP ride for 2026.

The Spaniard, who has spent a long time in the lead of his championship this year, couldn’t come to an agreement to source a seat before the MotoGP rider market wrapped up. Instead, he’ll be left waiting until next year to hunt out a new opportunity ahead of the 2027 regulation changes.

After finishing third in Moto2 last year and finishing in the top three in five of the first six races this year, Gonzalez looked like a lock for the title. But his recent form, coupled with a failure to graduate for next year, will have damaged his confidence a little.

Johann Zarco thinks Gonzalez is a level above Diogo Moreira, who beat him to a seat with LCR and Honda for next season. After missing out on a ride, Gonzalez took a dig at Jack Miller, suggesting that his Australian passport was part of the reason why he beat him out to the gig.

READ MORE: Dorna have ‘closed the doors’ on two riders who wanted Jack Miller’s Pramac seat

Mat Oxley thinks Manuel Gonzalez missed 2026 MotoGP seat because Dorna ‘hate’ having more Spanish riders

With two races to go, it’s all on the line for Gonzalez, as he bids to win the Moto2 title. At the last race in Malaysia, the fight was blown wide open as he crashed out at the final corner during the race, picking up no points.

It meant that he lost the lead of the championship and is now attacking from behind. Both Barry Baltus and Jake Dixon, behind him, also have outside chances of a challenge, too.

Looking to the future, MotoGP must be in the future of a talent so bright. The time is expiring on some current riders who could be off the grid soon, creating an opportunity for someone like Gonzalez to take.

However, Mat Oxley feels that Dorna ‘hate’ to see more Spanish riders moving up because they already have too many. He suggests that it’s ‘one reason’ why he couldn’t find a home for 2026.

“Yeah, they hate it, they hate it [Dorna],” he said. “That’s one reason they reckon that Manu Gonzalez didn’t go to MotoGP this year, because they were like, ‘Look, we’ve got too many Spanish riders.’

“I agree in a way, but at the same time, if you want to beat them, go out and beat them. There’s nothing stopping a British rider or whatever having a go.”

READ MORE: Trackhouse Aprilia weren’t ‘allowed’ to field the rider they really wanted at Aragon before calling Manu Gonzalez

The error which might end up costing Manuel Gonzalez a Moto2 title

Just a few weeks ago in Indonesia, Gonzalez earned a solid result when he finished second at Mandalika, consolidating his title charge.

However, after the race, it was discovered that he had used non-homologated software on his bike, resulting in an automatic disqualification.

The vital loss of points could end up costing him dearly in just a few weeks’ time, after the season finale in Valencia.

But, he still has an opportunity to make sure that isn’t the case by blowing his rivals away and rediscovering his top form after making a return to Europe. The flyaways weren’t too kind to him.