Marco Bezzecchi
A select few riders will get a chance to ride their 2027 prototypes with Pirelli rubber for the first time in a test at Brno on Monday, but one rider’s omission from the test has left MotoGP pundit Neil Hodgson puzzled.
Even though the upcoming day of testing at Brno is the fourth in-season test of the current campaign, it is arguably the most anticipated one due to the fact that it will be the first time that the chosen riders will be clocking in laps with Pirelli tyres.
What impact will Pirelli’s plan have on MotoGP in 2027?
The premier class is moving away from Michelin-branded rubber for MotoGP’s new era of regulations in 2027, with the Italian tyre manufacturer making a return to the sport for the first time in nearly 40 years.
Due to the number of rider movements for next year, the majority of brands have opted to field riders who are believed to be remaining with them.
For example, Marc Marquez and Fermin Aldeguer are expected to stay within Ducati’s stable, hence their inclusion in the entry list. However, not all factories have taken the same approach, which is something that Neil Hodgson finds ‘very strange’.
Neil Hodgson finds it ‘very strange’ that Diogo Moreira isn’t testing Honda’s 2027 bike at Brno
Honda have seemingly taken the opposite approach from their rivals, and have chosen factory riders Luca Marini and Joan Mir to continue with the development of their 850cc bike by taking part in Monday’s test.
What is Diogo Moreira’s ceiling in MotoGP?
Quite a puzzling decision, especially when considering they have Diogo Moreira within the stable – currently the only Honda rider to be signed up to race for them next year.
During TNT Sports’ coverage of qualifying at the Czech Grand Prix, Hodgson and colleague Gavin Emmett were baffled at the decision to snub the Brazilian rider.
The latter began by highlighting how impressive he has been so far in his rookie campaign. Moreira had just topped the timing sheets with his second effort in Q2. After Hodgson issued an “unreal’ verdict on his lap, Emmett replied (10:20 20/06), “He is such a likeable kid, Diogo.
“I sat down with him on Thursday, before the weekend. I didn’t have enough time, really, I could have chatted with him all day, he speaks English so well. He’s a Moto2 world champion, and he is becoming a real standout this year.”
- READ MORE: Everyone in MotoGP shares the same Diogo Moreira belief as Honda mull factory ride over David Alonso
Hodgson then responded, “Yeah, he is. He’s turned into the fastest Honda rider,” before the commentator added, “I will also remind you that he has won a world championship on Pirelli tyres.
“I’m thinking forward to next year, but he’s not going to be testing on Monday. What’s that all about?”
Hodgson himself was baffled as well, finishing with, “I know, that is a very strange decision.”
Marini has long been hailed as Honda’s lead rider when it comes to bike development, but he is expected to be joining the Aprilia brand through their affiliation with Trackhouse next year. Official confirmation is yet to land, with Enea Bastianini expected to join him there.
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