Welcome to MotoGP! David Alonso remains one of the most exciting names to rise through the ranks, and now we can begin to look forward to an anticipated future. Alonso is Honda’s latest signing, with the rising star joining the Japanese giant for his rookie MotoGP season – sound familiar? (Marc Marquez, anyone?)
Alonso becomes the first Colombian to join the MotoGP grid since Yonny Hernandez in 2016 and is just one of our fresh faces who will be looking to make their presence known. His current Moto2 CFMOTO Aspar teammate, Daniel Holgado, will also make the step up, setting the bar high as we race into the new 850cc era!
THE ROAD TO MOTOGP
To say Alonso’s junior career was impressive would be a complete understatement. The #80 grabbed four podiums in his maiden European Championship season back in 2019. It set up a title attack in 2020, and what a charge it was. Alonso made it four wins from the opening four races, with the cherry on top being a further victory at Valencia. He was the 2020 European Talent Cup Champion. In the same year, Alonso made his Red Bull Rookies Cup debut, notching up a debut win and ending the season P4 overall.
His efforts were rewarded with a Moto3 Junior World Championship ride in 2021, in a season which saw consistent points and some podium finishes. It was a completely different story in the Red Bull Rookies Cup, turning the 2021 season into the Alonso Show as the Colombian won the title with six wins along the way.
Focus returned to Junior World Championship efforts for 2022, and following a maiden class win at Valencia, his future was decided… David Alonso was heading to the Grand Prix paddock for a full season in 2023 – continuing a remarkable journey with Aspar.
Moto3: FROM ROOKIE TO BABYGOAT
Eye-catching. One of the many phrases we can use to describe David Alonso’s rookie Moto3 season. Finding a maiden podium at Jerez before a breakout win at Silverstone. It must have taken some weight off his shoulders, right? Well, it certainly did! Alonso stood on the podium six times in the final 10 Grand Prix weekends – winning on four occasions. Expectations, anticipation and excitement: Alonso was a title contender for 2024!
Alonso didn’t meet expectations; he blew them out of the water, rewrote history and even earned a new nickname. Victory in Qatar was just the start, with Alonso winning a further 13 races during the year (get your pen and paper ready). 14 wins, 75% podium record, 421 points and becoming the rider with the most Grand Prix wins in a single season ever in any class!
After this and some questionable celebrations, Alonso was handed the title BabyGoat (rightfully so). Alonso destroyed Valentino Rossi’s previous record of 11 lightweight class wins in a single season, became the first Colombian Grand Prix World Champion and moved the goalpost for what is needed to become the best in Moto3.
Moto2: ADAPTATION TO TITLE CONTENTION
Moto3 to Moto2 can be a steep learning curve, even for David Alonso. It was an inconsistent start to 2025, scoring points in three of the opening six races. However, at Silverstone – once again – everything clicked with P3 in his rookie season. The Colombian found the final piece of the puzzle in Hungary, marking a historic moment with his first victory in the intermediate class. Further podiums in Australia, Malaysia and Portugal would follow – setting the standard for 2026.
His sophomore season has started with more consistency, scoring inside the top five on four occasions during the opening five rounds. A first podium of the season at Brno and first victory at Assen reconfirmed his pace and moved Alonso to P4 in the standings – a pretty good position to be in.
The season might not be over yet, but don’t be surprised to see the #80 on the top step and hear the Colombian national anthem a few more times in 2026. Alonso has arrived in Moto2, and now he’s on the hunt for one final crown before making the premier class jump.
850cc AWAITS: MOTOGP-BOUND
We don’t know which team Alonso will join just yet, but what we do know is that the Colombian sensation has signed a multi-year deal with HRC. He’ll get his first taste of MotoGP machinery at the post-season Valencia Test, marking the beginning of the next chapter for the BabyGoat.
It’s an impressive lineup taking shape for 2027, with Diogo Moreira continuing with HRC – his team is also unconfirmed. Alonso isn’t Honda’s only new signing either, with 2021 MotoGP World Champion Fabio Quartararo joining the factory camp as he looks to help guide the Japanese factory back to the top of the sport. Finally, Johann Zarco completes the quartet of riders, bringing years of race-winning experience to the project whilst helping the young guns of Moreira and Alonso.
Moto3 World Champion, Moto2 title contender, MotoGP rookie – call him what you want. He’s the BabyGoat to us! Tune in for the final part of the Moto2 season and don’t miss Alonso’s transition to the premier class; see you on track!