First MotoGP rookie officially confirmed on 2027 grid

MotoGP’s move into the new 850cc era has its first confirmed rookie: Dani Holgado. Gresini confirmed on Thursday that the 21-year-old Spaniard will join its 2027 lineup alongside Joan Mir, becoming the earliest announced rider for next season’s grid. Holgado is currently sixth in Moto2, after a 2024 Moto3 runner-up finish behind David Alonso and a Moto2 rookie debut with Aspar that included two wins and a sixth-place championship standing. This year, podiums—highlighted by a victory in Brazil—put him briefly at the top before he slipped back to sixth. He is expected to be the first of five rookies in 2027, with further seats linked to HRC for Alonso and Pramac Yamaha for Izan Guevara. Other contenders for remaining Tech3 KTM space include Senna Agius and Manuel Gonzalez, while Nicolo Bulega is pencilled for VR46 Ducati.