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As the 2025 Moto2 season moves into its second half, the three-year contract between Honda and Diogo Moreira, which secures his promotion to MotoGP next year, has mostly run its course. Moreira began the season as a strong title contender but initially seemed overshadowed by four-time race winner Manu Gonzalez. He managed just one point by mid-season, and two consecutive crashes in Germany and the Czech Republic left him 60 points behind Gonzalez, who was in fourth place.
During the summer break, Gonzalez was rumored to be joining MotoGP in 2026 but chose to stay in Moto2, while Moreira signed a three-year factory deal with HRC to race for LCR from 2026. Moreira outperformed Gonzalez in the latter half of the season, winning three races as Gonzalez went through four races without scoring. A disqualification for a technical infringement in Indonesia cut Gonzalez’s lead to nine points, crushing his title hopes.
Moreira is now part of an elite group of 15 riders who have won the Moto2 championship since the class replaced the 250cc category, all of whom have gone on to compete in MotoGP with varying success.
Highlighting some notable Moto2 champions:
– Toni Elias (2010) was the first Moto2 World Champion and unique for having competed in MotoGP before winning the intermediate class. He had a standout MotoGP win in 2006 but ultimately left racing in 2015 after fluctuating success.
– Stefan Bradl (2011) won a close battle against Marc Marquez and later struggled in MotoGP, contributing notably to Aprilia’s early development. He continues to serve as a Honda replacement rider.
– Marc Marquez (2012) is the most successful Moto2 graduate, winning multiple MotoGP world titles. After a severe injury in 2020, he returned to dominance, securing his seventh championship in 2025 with Ducati.
– Pol Espargaro (2013) had a promising Moto2 career but mixed results in MotoGP, eventually becoming a valued KTM test rider after a serious accident.
– Tito Rabat (2014) found his stride in Moto2 but suffered injuries that hampered his MotoGP career, subsequently competing in other motorcycle racing series.
– Johann Zarco (2015 & 2016) is the only two-time Moto2 champ, achieving notable MotoGP success despite some setbacks with KTM.
– Franco Morbidelli (2017) overcame a non-traditional path and became a key part of the VR46 Academy’s success. Injuries have affected his later MotoGP seasons.
– Pecco Bagnaia (2018) quickly rose through the ranks with Ducati, coming close to a MotoGP title but facing a difficult 2025 season.
– Alex Marquez (2019) steadily improved to win the Moto2 title before claiming his first MotoGP victories in 2025.
– Enea Bastianini (2020) showed early promise and transitioned successfully to MotoGP, achieving multiple wins as a factory Ducati rider.
– Remy Gardner (2021) battled to the 2021 Moto2 championship but struggled to establish himself in MotoGP, moving to World Superbike.
– Augusto Fernandez (2022) showed strong potential in Moto2 and contributed significantly as a Yamaha test rider after MotoGP challenges.
– Pedro Acosta (2023) burst onto the scene with rapid progress through Moto3 and Moto2, already achieving multiple MotoGP podiums.
– Ai Ogura (2024) overcame early career struggles to claim the Moto2 title and began a promising MotoGP rookie year despite injury setbacks.
Fan Take: This roundup of Moto2 champions and their transition to MotoGP highlights the league’s importance as a proving ground for future stars. Fans can anticipate thrilling developments as riders like Diogo Moreira and Pedro Acosta bring fresh talent and fierce competition to the pinnacle of motorcycle racing.
