Daniel Holgado signs with BK8 Gresini Racing for 2027 MotoGP debut
Look at the career trajectory on Daniel Holgado. Less than two seasons in the intermediate category have been enough to earn the #96 a stunning promotion to the premier class, securing a deal to join BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP for the 2027 season. He will be jumping straight onto a Ducati machine as MotoGP barrels toward its new era, and honestly, the paddock just got a whole lot more interesting.
His rise through the ranks has been rapid. Back in 2018, the Spanish star stepped into the European Cup, earning a podium in his rookie campaign before tackling the Moto3 Junior World Championship. After logging two podium finishes in both 2019 and 2020, Holgado put on a masterclass at the start of 2021 to claim the Moto3 Junior World Championship title. That dominant campaign featured five wins, finishing ahead of heavy hitters like Diogo Moreira, Ivan Ortola, and David Alonso. He also proved his speed in the Red Bull Rookies Cup across 2020 and 2021, clinching P3 overall after a fierce title fight.
From there, the Grand Prix paddock beckoned. Holgado stepped into the Moto3 World Championship with Red Bull KTM Ajo for 2022, securing solid top-10 results, one pole position, and a podium at the Aragon GP to finish the year P10 in the standings. A switch to Tech3 for 2023 immediately paid off when he claimed a maiden victory at the opening round in Portimao. Two more wins followed, and he wrapped up the season P5. The 2024 objective was the world title, and while he delivered eight podiums and a win in Portugal, he had to settle for runner-up behind none other than David Alonso.
That undeniable speed earned him a Moto2 seat for 2025 with Jorge Martinez 'Aspar', alongside teammate Alonso. Making light work of a notoriously brutal class transition, Holgado scored a top-10 finish on his debut, took two wins as a rookie, and capped off the year with a fifth podium at the Valencia finale. He kept that momentum rolling into 2026 with a podium in Thailand, a victory in Brazil, and further rostrum appearances at Mugello and Silverstone. Currently, the #96 remains locked in a fierce title fight, having recently moved ahead of Alonso in the World Championship standings as the season heads down to the wire.