Moto2 points leader Manu Gonzalez knocking on Trackhouse's door for 2027 MotoGP seat
Italian GP winner and runaway Moto2 leader Gonzalez is making a strong push to move up to MotoGP next season
Manu González
Photo by: Aprilia Racing
Everything points to Manu Gonzalez being in MotoGP next season if the talks he is currently having with Trackhouse come to fruition, Motorsport.com has learned.
Representatives for the current Moto2 championship leader are working hard to find a place for the rider in the premier class, after he was denied the step up last year when he led for almost the entire season but mistakes and technical problems left him without the title. In Barcelona, two weeks ago, a first round of talks opened with Trackhouse, which would be the best option as it stands.
Last year, Gonzalez was invited by the American team to carry out a test with the Aprilia RS GP25 in Aragon, an idea that came from Davide Brivio and was presented by surprise and coincided with Ai Ogura's injury. At Motorland, Gonzalez successfully completed 87 laps with a best time of 1:47.832, drawing more than one gesture of admiration in the team's garage, despite insistence that it had been a completely circumstantial test that was not going to go any further.
Raul Fernandez, Trackhouse Racing
Photo by: Gold and Goose Photography / LAT Images / via Getty Images
Despite the frustration that it meant for Gonzalez not being able to make the jump to MotoGP this season, the Spaniard rejected offers to move to the World Superbike Championship in order to continue with the Intact GP Moto2 project. Across the opening seven races of 2026, he accumulated three victories and six podiums, putting him 34.5 points clear of Izan Guevara in the championship.
"I don't know if there is anything else I can do in Moto2," he said this Sunday after winning with overwhelming superiority at Mugello, when he was asked about his chances of moving up to MotoGP. "Yes, logically, winning the title, but by the time that comes the whole market will already be closed. Right now, what I have to do is keep winning races and keep being myself, nothing more."
Naturally, he was asked about his future, and although he did not want to confirm anything, he expressed hope regarding the negotiations being conducted by his manager.
"There are several things that are getting closer that are quite positive and I think that after today they will be even clearer, so I think something will be known soon," he explained, without wanting to confirm his negotiations with Trackhouse.
With the hypothetical arrival of Gonzalez in MotoGP, 2027 will be one of the seasons in which the greatest number of riders from the intermediate category make the step up, with Guevara himself moving up to Pramac Yamaha, David Alonso joining Honda and Dani Holgado set to race for Gresini. Senna Agius also has a shot at a Tech3 seat, while there is also a minor possibility of Celestino Vietti getting the nod by VR46.
The arrival of Gonzalez at the American structure would most likely mean the departure of Raul Fernandez, who despite winning the sprint race in Mugello this Saturday is not among the team's preferred options to continue next year.
Alongside the current Moto2 leader, everything points to Italian rider Enea Bastianini, now at Tech3 KTM, forming Trackhouse's 2027–2028 line-up. As for the Intact GP Moto2 team, Spaniard Alex Escrig would be the chosen rider to replace Gonzalez next season.
Photos from Italian GP - Sunday
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Italian GP - Sunday, in photos
Italian GP - Sunday, in photos
Italian GP - Sunday, in photos
Italian GP - Sunday, in photos
Italian GP - Sunday, in photos
Italian GP - Sunday, in photos
Italian GP - Sunday, in photos
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