Marco Bezzecchi
Moto2 star Daniel Holgado agrees with Liberty Media that it is ‘not good’ for MotoGP to have so many Spanish riders on the grid, despite being Spanish himself.
The debate has sprung up a lot in recent weeks as new owners Liberty look to attract more nations to the sport. Toprak Razgatlioglu and Diogo Moreira have brought Turkey and Brazil to the grid, but more markets are wanted.
Are there too many Spanish riders on the MotoGP grid?
At present, nine of the 22 riders on the 2026 grid are Spanish, while six hail from Italy. Liberty are looking to change this, with many questioning how some of these riders still have seats.
Scott Redding says Alex Rins is in MotoGP because he is Spanish, questioning why he has been afforded a factory Yamaha seat. This message is being taken on board, as MotoGP teams are no longer looking at Spanish talent, directly impacting Holgado.
Daniel Holgado says it’s ‘not good’ for MotoGP to have so many Spanish riders
Asked whether he is worried about this change in mindset from Liberty, Holgado told Motorsport Espana: “Well, in the end it’s normal. I also understand the championship a bit, because we’re in a World Championship and I understand why they look for riders of different nationalities.
“In the end, I don’t know if there are 10 Spaniards, I think, in MotoGP, and 5 or 6 Italians. I don’t think it’s good on a global level to have so many riders only from those nationalities.
“It’s true that all this comes from a lot of hard work done at the grassroots level. It doesn’t happen by magic, not because Spaniards are better, just like that. It comes from the work we’ve been doing since we were kids.
“A lot of laps, a lot of races, a lot of work. With the parents, with promotional cups, like Jorge has done now, to help young talents. All of that comes from the work done at the grassroots level.
“But I understand MotoGP’s desire to find new talent from different nationalities because they need to expand their market, and that’s something I understand. But it might be a bit more complicated for Spaniards, for example. But it’s not something I think about much.
“The truth is, I follow my own path, I give 100%, I give everything. And in the end, I think that if teams see something in you, whether you’re Spanish, Italian, or of another nationality, it’s for a reason. So, I think teams also have a different perspective; they don’t just focus on nationality.”
READ MORE: Who is Daniel Holgado? Everything to know from career stats to praise
Daniel Holgado is joining MotoGP against Dorna’s wishes
Despite MotoGP looking away from Spanish and Italian riders, Holgado has, according to reports, managed to secure his spot on the grid in 2027.
The 21-year-old is set to join Gresini next year as Nadia Padovani looks for a new rider pairing, with Alex Marquez and Fermin Aldeguer both leaving the team.
Some seismic moves have been made in MotoGP for 2027! What has been the most shocking rider transfer?
Holgado rejected Yamaha to join the Ducati family and link up with Gresini. But this move was not what the sport’s governing body wanted to see.
Ducati signed Holgado against Dorna’s wishes, as they are looking to add more nationalities to the grid next season.
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