The 2026 MotoGP grid is officially set, and the excitement is building! Brazilian rider Diogo Moreira is the final piece of the puzzle, securing a multi-year deal with Honda and joining the LCR Honda team as a MotoGP rookie. This announcement completes the rider lineup for the upcoming season, promising thrilling races and fierce competition.
At just 21 years old, Moreira will make his MotoGP debut in Thailand in 2026, replacing Somkiat Chantra, and partnering with Johann Zarco. It's a significant step for the young rider, who was highly sought after for a MotoGP promotion next year. He chose the LCR Honda move over a potential opportunity with Yamaha at Pramac, and possibly even a spot with the Aprilia satellite team Trackhouse.
This isn't just a one-year deal; it's a "multi-year deal with Honda" directly. This means Moreira is essentially a factory rider, opening the door for him to potentially join the factory team if he has a successful first season. Moreira himself called it a "dream come true."
Lucio Cecchinello, the team boss and founder, praised Moreira, saying he "possesses all the qualities to become one of the greats in MotoGP." He highlighted Moreira's talent, passion, and proven speed across different motorcycle disciplines.
But here's where it gets controversial... Chantra, who currently rides for the Idemitsu-backed half of LCR's operation, is moving to World Superbikes as a works Honda rider. The announcement of Moreira didn't mention Idemitsu or Castrol, which could hint at a shift in the team's backing, especially given Idemitsu's focus on Asian riders.
Moreira will be one of two rookies on the 2026 grid, the other being World Superbike champion Toprak Razgatlioglu at Pramac Yamaha. This leaves no room for his current Moto2 rivals, including championship leader Manu Gonzalez. Gonzalez's lead over Moreira shrunk significantly after a disqualification at Mandalika due to "a non-homologated software version."
Here's a quick rundown of the 2026 MotoGP grid:
- Ducati: Marc Marquez, Pecco Bagnaia
- Gresini Ducati: Alex Marquez, Fermin Aldeguer
- VR46 Ducati: Franco Morbidelli, Fabio Di Giannantonio
- KTM: Pedro Acosta, Brad Binder
- Tech3 KTM: Maverick Vinales, Enea Bastianini
- Aprilia: Marco Bezzecchi, Jorge Martin
- Trackhouse Aprilia: Raul Fernandez, Ai Ogura
- Honda: Luca Marini, Joan Mir
- LCR Honda: Johann Zarco, Diogo Moreira
- Yamaha: Fabio Quartararo, Alex Rins
- Pramac Yamaha: Jack Miller, Toprak Razgatlioglu
What do you think of the new grid? Are you excited to see Moreira in MotoGP? Do you think the move to Honda is the right one for him? Let's discuss in the comments!
