GONZALEZ SUGGESTS HE COULD STAY IN MOTO2 FOR 2027

Manuel Gonzalez says he is content to remain with Intact GP in Moto2 after missing out on a 2027 MotoGP seat, and has suggested that staying put may be the right move for now.

The Spaniard leads the championship by 35.5 points over Izan Guevara with seven rounds remaining. Several of his rivals—including Guevara, David Alonso, Intact GP team-mate Senna Agius and Dani Holgado—have secured MotoGP opportunities for 2027, while Gonzalez has not. WorldSBK had been raised as an alternative, but team manager Jürgen Lingg said last month that Gonzalez would need a strong offer: “If Senna moves [to MotoGP], maybe Manu can go to Superbike. If not, we are very happy to continue with him. I think he needs a really good Superbike seat. Otherwise, he will continue with us.”

Gonzalez’s latest comments point towards another Moto2 season, particularly if he wins this year’s title. Only Tito Rabat and Johann Zarco have previously returned to defend a Moto2 crown. Rabat finished third in 2015 after taking the 2014 championship; Zarco defended his title in 2016 and remains the class’s only double champion.

“I am in the best place that I can be now,” Gonzalez said. “I'm super happy to be in this team, nothing can be better in my environment.” He added that he is enjoying his racing and winning, asking: “Why search for something new?”

The 27-year-old said he still believes he is ready for MotoGP and wants to prove he can be “a top guy” there. But, he explained, “when you are searching so hard for something and you don't get it, just try to enjoy the moment, enjoy the present, and it will arrive sooner or later if you are giving your maximum.”

Both Rabat and Zarco eventually moved up to MotoGP. Rabat spent five seasons in the premier class, while Zarco is now in his ninth season and has won races for Ducati and Honda. Gonzalez’s immediate focus, however, is on his title challenge and the team environment he says is working so well.