It was announced that Diogo Moreira had signed a multi-year MotoGP deal with LCR Honda prior to the Australian GP in 2025, and t
The young Brazilian was one of the most sought-after prospects in the paddock, with multiple factories reportedly chasing his signature. Ultimately, Honda won the battle, securing a rider who’s been tipped as one of the sport’s brightest young stars.
Moreira will be one of two rookies on the 2026 grid — alongside Toprak Razgatlioglu, who comes from WorldSBK — and notably, he’ll become the first Brazilian MotoGP rider since Alex Barros, an icon of the sport across the 1990s and the early 2000s. But who exactly is Diogo Moreira?
From Motocross in São Paulo to the European racing scene
Hailing from Guarulhos, São Paulo, Diogo Moreira began his racing journey in Brazilian motocross before moving to Spain in 2017 to pursue a career on asphalt. Determined to make his mark, he worked his way up through the European junior ranks, scoring impressive results in the junior categories.
It was in the Red Bull Rookies Cup that Moreira truly caught attention, finishing 6th overall in 2021 with four podiums to his name. His speed and consistency earned him a coveted seat in the Moto3 World Championship with MT Helmets – MSI in 2022.
Moto3: A breakout star emerges
The Brazilian immediately caught the eye with a string of top 10 finishes on his way to the Rookie of the Year crown. On the opening day of his sophomore season, he delivered his first podium in Portugal, which was quickly followed by another in Argentina.
His first-ever World Championship win came in Round 15 in Indonesia as he finished P8 in the Championship, but Moto2’s Italtrans Racing had seen enough as they offered him an intermediate class ride in 2024.
Moto2: Proving his mettle
His debut year in the intermediate class started inconsistently, but his pace steadily improved as he adapted to the more demanding machinery. By the end of the season, he took his first Moto2 podium at the Barcelona finale — and with it, another Rookie of the Year crown.
That was just a taste of what was to come in 2025, with the Brazilian evolving into one of the class’s standout stars. With a string of top-five finishes, back-to-back podiums at Silverstone and Aragon, and a maiden win at Assen, the Brazilian firmly announced himself as a title contender. That was the first of four wins, the other three coming in Austria, Indonesia and Portugal, which helped him to become the Moto2 World Champion for 2025, his country's first-ever World Champion.
Chasing History: Brazil’s next great hope
After sealing the move to the premier class, and then a first-ever World Championship crown, Moreira will be aiming for bigger and better things in the years to come.
His MotoGP debut will also coincide with the long-awaited return of the Brazilian Grand Prix to the calendar in March 2026. If all goes to plan, Moreira will race in front of his home fans in just his second MotoGP outing, making it a truly emotional milestone for both him and Brazil’s passionate motorsport community.
#11
Throughout his career, Moreira proudly raced with the #10, but he was forced to choose a new number for MotoGP, as it is already taken by factory Honda rider Luca Marini. In the end, Moreira opted for the #11, another number recognised for its samba flair among his countrymen.
Moreira made his MotoGP testing debut in Valencia at the end of 2025, and he will be back on track during the pre-season tests in Sepang and Bangkok. The season opener in Thailand will then offer the first real glimpse of what he can bring to the premier class.
So tune in for the Phillip Island Grand Prix and see for yourself why Honda has placed its faith in Diogo Moreira — Brazil’s next MotoGP superstar.
Want to watch Moreira in action on home turf next year? MotoGP returns to Brazil after a two-decade wait – and ticket sales are open! Check out all the options HERE.