MOREIRA TO JOIN HONDA’S MOTOGP FACTORY TEAM IN 2027 AS ALONSO HEADS TO LCR

Diogo Moreira will move from LCR Honda to the factory HRC squad for the 2027 MotoGP season, partnering Fabio Quartararo. Honda confirmed the promotion on October 20, after LCR had said goodbye to the Brazilian. Moreira has five Grands Prix remaining in LCR colours before joining the factory team as MotoGP’s new rules take effect. David Alonso will take his place at LCR alongside Johann Zarco.

Moreira’s promotion rewards a strong rookie campaign. He has scored 12 points finishes in 17 Grands Prix, with several top-10 results. His second place in the Motegi Sprint was Honda’s first official podium of the season. He was also reported to have topped the timesheets at the Red Bull Ring test on Honda’s 850cc prototype. The move will make him the first Brazilian to race for Honda’s factory team since Alex Barros in 2004.

Moreira called the opportunity a childhood ambition, thanking HRC for its confidence and LCR for helping him adapt to MotoGP. He said the team had been “of fundamental importance” to his development. “So far in 2026 we have done a great job to adapt to the bike and the sensations for the future are already very positive from what we have seen,” he said, adding that he wanted to help Honda “return to where they must be.”

LCR team principal Lucio Cecchinello praised Moreira’s pace, commitment and willingness to learn, describing him as an “incredibly talented and fast rider” with the determination to compete at the highest level. HRC general manager Yuzuru Ishikawa highlighted his ability to adapt to different machinery, from motocross through Moto3 and Moto2 to MotoGP, and said Honda would support him as it seeks to fight for the world championship again.

Alonso’s Honda signing was announced in July, but his team was not revealed until October 20. The Colombian has collected 32 podiums, including 20 wins, over the past four seasons, won the 2024 Moto3 title and sits fifth in the 2026 Moto2 standings with 166 points ahead of the final five races. He will step up to MotoGP in 2027 with experienced Frenchman Zarco as his teammate.

“I’m incredibly excited and can’t wait to make the jump to MotoGP with a team like LCR Honda,” Alonso said. He called the squad highly professional and experienced, and “the perfect place” to begin adapting and learning in the premier class. “It’s an important step, and I can’t wait to begin this new adventure. A dream come true, and this is only the beginning.”

Cecchinello said LCR was proud to welcome Alonso, citing his talent, speed and determination. With a new MotoGP era beginning, he said, the team was eager to pursue shared goals and build a successful future together. Moreira and Quartararo are due to make their first HRC appearance at the Valencia test in December; Alonso will also make his MotoGP debut there before starting his first premier-class season.