Marco Bezzecchi
Honda’s MotoGP line-up looked set in stone for the 2027 season, but sudden changes could be on the horizon.
Heading into 2026, Johann Zarco was the only rider contracted for 2027, having signed a new two-year deal with LCR in 2025. This year, Honda have been heavily active in the MotoGP rider market.
Joan Mir and Luca Marini are both set to leave in 2027, with Fabio Quartararo joining Honda from Yamaha, pending official confirmation. It was believed that Moto2 star David Alonso would be his teammate at HRC and Diogo Moreira would stay with LCR.
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Lucio Cecchinello has told Honda to promote Diogo Moreira to the factory team in 2027
However, Honda’s plans could be set for a last-minute change, as rumours have suggested that Alonso could be demoted to LCR, as the Japanese giants have expressed concerns over his inconsistent results in Moto2.
It was even said that Honda could revoke Alonso’s contract altogether, although that would be considered an extreme measure. Nevertheless, the speculation is that the Colombian could start his MotoGP career with LCR instead of HRC in 2027.
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That would open the door for Moreira to move up to the factory team with Quartararo. The Brazilian is rated highly at Honda, with him having a contract directly with them until 2028.
The Japanese outfit will want to progress Moreira’s career and give him a factory seat, and LCR boss Lucio Cecchinello now wants that promotion to happen in 2027. The team’s former team manager, Oscar Haro, privately spoke with him on the matter.
He said via the NicoabadTV YouTube channel: “The most logical thing is for Diogo Moreira to go to the Honda factory team and David Alonso to LCR, but it’s not done.
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“It’s not done. It’s logical for Moreira to go to the HRC factory team with Fabio and for Alonso to stay with Zarco.
“I’ve spoken with Lucio and he tells me the most logical thing is for the young guy to stay at LCR, because Honda gives them support for young guys, and this one [Moreira], who they know goes fast, to the official team. It’s the most logical; I’m not saying it’s done.”
No one in MotoGP doubts Moreira’s talent, and the Brazilian is having an impressive rookie season, scoring 43 points thus far. If he continues this current trajectory, Honda may have to take him seriously for Alonso’s seat next year.
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