Mark Marquez is reportedly urging Ducati to sign the talented Moto2 rider Diogo Moreira. According to Sky Italia, Marquez shares a close friendship with Moreira and is keen to support his progression to MotoGP.
Despite this, Moreira is in high demand, and Ducati is not currently leading the pack interested in his services. Honda is heavily investing in Moreira, offering him a lucrative three-year deal worth 1.5 million euros annually. This contract would place Moreira in the LCR Honda project for the next two years before moving to the factory team.
Moreira has attracted attention from various MotoGP manufacturers. While Honda is making significant moves to secure him, Moreira is also in open discussions with Yamaha, which has already provided him with a training bike, and there are claims that Truckhouse Aprilia is interested as well. Although Honda had initially been the frontrunner to sign Moreira, Marquez’s influence might shift the dynamics.
The so-called “Ducati paradox” is expected to be a decisive factor. Ducati places great importance on Marquez’s words, and he is reportedly pushing for Ducati to make room for Moreira. The open Ducati seat for the 2026 MotoGP season is within the VR46 team, currently held by Franco Morbidelli, who VR46 insists will stay despite links to Pedro Acosta. It remains unclear where Ducati might find space for Moreira or if they have made a firm decision.
Moreira is poised to finalize his future during the summer break, with a MotoGP promotion looking very likely. Honda missed out on securing Jorge Martin, who remains with Aprilia, and it appears Acosta will stay at KTM. Honda plans to retain Luca Marini and has already signed Joan Mir and Johann Zarco, leaving Somkiat Chantra’s seat on the table as he currently ranks low in MotoGP.
Fan Take: This news is significant for racing fans because it highlights the intense competition among top manufacturers to secure the next generation of MotoGP stars like Diogo Moreira. Marquez’s involvement adds an intriguing layer of influence that could reshape team dynamics and rider lineups, ultimately impacting the sport’s future competitiveness and excitement.
