Marco Bezzecchi
Ducati will place Dani Holgado at Gresini next season despite pressure from MotoGP bosses to diversify the grid, according to a report.
Like Fermin Aldeguer and potentially Fabio Di Giannantonio, Holgado will race for a Ducati satellite team on a factory contract. His teammate is unknown, though Enea Bastianini is the favourite ahead of World Superbikes leader Nicolo Bulega.
Holgado was the Moto2 runner-up in 2024 and finished sixth in his debut season in the intermediate class. He sits third after the first three rounds of 2025 despite missing out on the points in Austin after a penalty.
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Dani Holgado to Gresini Ducati could increase Spanish dominance in MotoGP
According to Motorpasion Moto, MotoGP Sports Entertainment Group (formerly known as Dorna) wants to reduce the number of Spanish riders on the grid. Eight of this year’s 22 riders are Spanish, more than a third of the grid.
They are putting pressure on teams to sign riders who can appeal to different markets. They hoped the commercial incentives would outweigh the potential sporting penalty, but teams aren’t buying into the idea.
MSEG acknowledge that, when a rider’s results in the lower classes are ‘unquestionable’, they will move up to MotoGP regardless of their nationality. But they don’t feel that Holgado’s performances have been exceptional.
Ducati have signed him ‘against the wishes of Dorna’, with Carmelo Ezpeleta forced to respect their wishes. It looks as if their line-up will be entirely made up of Spaniards and Italians.
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When Italian riders are factored in, two countries account for over 60% of the field.
The report notes that Alex Rins and Franco Morbidelli are ‘practically out’ for next year, but that will be offset by the expected arrival of Holgado and Izan Guevara. Rumours that Guevara will join Pramac next year are becoming increasingly widespread.
That means Jack Miller’s MotoGP future is in doubt, another commercial concern ahead of the Australian GP moving to Adelaide.
However, Senna Agius could move up from Moto2, ensuring there will still be some Australian representation on the 2027 grid.
Elsewhere, Colombian David Alonso, Holgado’s Aspar teammate, is expected to join Honda’s roster.
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