THREE RIDERS WHO COULD SURPRISE IN THE 2026 MOTOGP SEASON
The 2026 MotoGP season is just around the corner, and it promises to deliver one of the most competitive grids in recent memory. With contracts on the line and several seats still to be decided for 2027, a strong start to the year could define a rider’s future. In a tightly packed midfield where small margins will separate glory from anonymity, three riders stand out as potential surprise packages for the season ahead.
Maverick Viñales
The Spaniard, now 31, enters his second season with Tech3 KTM after a 2025 campaign that showed flashes of brilliance but was ultimately disrupted by injuries. Despite missing key track time, Viñales still managed three top-five finishes and, when fully fit, often looked second only to Pedro Acosta within the KTM hierarchy.
In 2026, consistency will be his primary target. Viñales is currently viewed as the leading candidate to replace the Ducati-bound Acosta at the Factory KTM squad for 2027, making this season crucial for his long-term prospects. If he can stay injury-free, he has the pace to challenge regularly for top-five results and potentially claim his 11th MotoGP victory, remarkably, with a fourth different manufacturer. To strengthen his case, he will aim to decisively outperform teammate Enea Bastianini and factory rider Brad Binder, while firmly establishing himself inside the championship’s top ten.
Ai Ogura
Ai Ogura’s rookie MotoGP season began with genuine promise. The Japanese rider opened 2025 with a fourth-place finish in the Sprint and a fifth-place result at the Thailand Grand Prix. However, injuries soon disrupted his momentum, and he ultimately slipped to 16th in the championship standings.
The underlying pace he demonstrated early in the season, combined with encouraging preseason performances, where he frequently featured inside the top five during the Buriram test, suggests there is more to come. The Trackhouse team also proved its competitiveness in 2025, highlighted by its maiden victory at Phillip Island in the hands of teammate Raúl Fernández.
If Ogura can remain fit and the team maintains its upward trajectory, the 2024 Moto2 World Champion has every reason to target his first MotoGP podium in 2026. A return to the form he showed at the start of last year could see him surprise many observers.
Diogo Moreira
While much of the spotlight has been on World Superbike champion Toprak Razgatlioglu’s move to MotoGP in 2026, Brazilian rookie Diogo Moreira may be the quieter, but equally compelling, story to follow.
Moreira’s 2025 Moto2 campaign was outstanding. Entering his second season with Italtrans as an outside contender for the top five, he instead mounted a dramatic title charge. Overcoming a significant points deficit, he snatched the championship from Manu González with four victories and five additional podium finishes.
What set Moreira apart was his balance between aggression and consistency, a rare combination that ultimately secured him the crown. Now stepping up to the premier class with LCR Honda, he has already impressed quietly in preseason testing. With Honda fielding an upgraded machine, Moreira could realistically aim for regular top-ten finishes in his rookie MotoGP season.
Share this content:
