Author Archives: PressBox

Tech3 confirmed at the Catalan MotoGP that it will remain partnered with KTM into MotoGP’s new 850cc/Pirelli era beginning in 2027, ending speculation the French-based squad would switch to Honda. The team announced a new multi-year agreement, the length of which was not disclosed, that commits Tech3 to KTM for the foreseeable future. Guenther Steiner, Tech3’s CEO and the leader of the consortium that acquired the team earlier in 2026, announced the deal in Barcelona after qualifying for the Catalan Grand Prix. Steiner and team principal Richard Coleman said the decision followed months of discussions under the new management. Steiner said, “in motorsport the strongest links are often those you already know inside out.”

Tech3 credited Hervé Poncharal and existing staff for building the foundation that made the extension possible, and noted continuity with KTM, a partner since 2019, will help the squad adapt quickly to the regulatory and technical reset in 2027.

KTM framed the deal as a continuation of an established factory relationship, describing Tech3 as a key extension of its factory effort with technical and operational support aligned to the works team. KTM motorsports director Pit Beirer said the factory was pleased to extend the relationship and that both parties will focus on competing “at the very highest level” from 2027 and beyond. Beirer also told reporters in Catalunya that KTM “will also definitely fight for them” and that KTM and Tech3 are “stronger together.” The announcement did not name Tech3’s riders or a title sponsor for 2027. Sources noted that Enea Bastianini and Maverick Vinales are contracted directly to KTM with options for 2027 and that KTM is waiting to finalize the team’s machinery deal before confirming those riders’ futures. There is ongoing speculation over Red Bull’s future backing of all four KTM RC16 machines, and the five MotoGP manufacturers are still negotiating a next five-year commercial contract with MotoGP SEG, a matter that could influence sponsorship and factory commitments going into the 850cc era.

Multiple reports say Pramac and Yamaha are preparing to promote Moto2 rider Izan Guevara to MotoGP for 2027. The move is described as provisional but close to being signed and is expected to be finalized before the summer break. Federico Zamagni reported Guevara’s Blu Cru contract contains a clause that could allow or compel a move to Pramac if he delivers “the right result” at the Catalan Grand Prix, a threshold Zamagni describes as securing the points needed to take the Moto2 championship lead. If activated, that scenario would likely displace Jack Miller at Pramac and leave Miller’s immediate future uncertain.

Reports give Guevara’s age as either 21, turning 22 next month, or 22. He extended his Yamaha contract through the end of 2027 and has built momentum on track: he won the 2025 Valencia Moto2 Grand Prix, and this season he has taken three podiums in the opening five rounds including a victory at Le Mans, leaving him second in the Moto2 riders’ standings. An impressive private test on a Yamaha M1, earlier Yamaha YZR-M1 testing and his involvement in Yamaha’s Moto2 project, backed by Pramac manager Gino Borsoi, are cited as factors behind the planned promotion.

Coverage of Yamaha’s intended 2027 reshuffle, reportedly overseen by managing director Paolo Pavesio, says Guevara would join Pramac alongside Toprak Razgatlioglu, with Jorge Martin and Ai Ogura in factory Yamaha seats. Some reports add that Alex Rins could leave and former factory rider Fabio Quartararo might move to Honda. That coverage also notes Jack Miller’s dip in competitiveness, no wins since 2022, currently last among full-time riders and outscored 5-0 by rookie teammate Toprak, though Miller posted one of his strongest Friday practice sessions at Catalonia and said, “I’m sick and f**king tired of being at the back.”

Pedro Acosta topped Friday practice at the Catalan Grand Prix in Barcelona, setting a 1:38.710 aboard his Red Bull KTM Factory Racing RC16 and taking a direct spot in Q2. He shaded Álex Márquez by 0.018 seconds to lead a tightly packed top order, with the top five split by 0.079 seconds and the top ten within 0.269 seconds, a parity many teams attributed in part to the spec Michelin tires used by the grid.

Francesco Bagnaia finished 12th, 0.350 seconds behind Acosta, saying he “couldn’t even think of getting into Q2,” and complaining of a lack of grip and setup issues. Team manager Davide Tardozzi reported Bagnaia had suffered unusual vibration and “no grip at all” on corner exit. Jorge Martín crashed twice on Friday, was assessed as slightly concussed and finished 17th, which will force him into Q1 on Saturday.

Brad Binder recovered from a small crash to sit third, with Raúl Fernández fourth and Johann Zarco fifth. Fabio di Giannantonio was the leading Ducati in sixth, and Marco Bezzecchi and Joan Mir also secured direct Q2 spots. Each manufacturer placed multiple riders into Q2 and eight teams booked at least one place. Acosta said the chassis was working well and his team would analyze data overnight, adding he planned to work more with a medium rear tire after running a soft rear last year. Binder said the Le Mans setup translated well to the low-grip Barcelona surface, “the bike felt more planted at the front and allowed more corner speed at the rear.” Friday’s times set the stage for an intense qualifying day, with Q1 offering the two remaining slots to Q2 and small improvements or mistakes able to reshuffle the front rows for Sunday’s race.

In Moto2, Celestino Vietti set the pace at the Catalan Grand Prix, topping both morning and afternoon practice sessions. He led FP1 with a 1:42.028 lap on the Beta Tools SpeedRS Team Boscoscuro and was fastest again in the afternoon with a 1:41.611, both runs on Pirelli control tires. Senna Agius finished second in FP1 with a 1:42.453 on the Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP Kalex and was runner-up in the afternoon with a 1:41.625. Alex Escrig was third in FP1 with a 1:42.567, and Alonso Lopez moved into third in the afternoon with a 1:41.637.

Other Moto2 session highlights included Izan Guevara fourth in FP1 (1:42.608) and fifth in the afternoon (1:41.827), Manuel Gonzalez fifth in FP1 (1:42.706), and Daniel Holgado fourth in the afternoon (1:41.815). The two 27-rider sessions showcased Boscoscuro and Kalex machinery and produced early weekend benchmarks. American Joe Roberts was 20th in the morning (1:43.786) and 21st in the afternoon (1:42.742). Xabi Zurutuza was slowest in FP1, 27th on 1:44.936.

Alex Marquez topped the MotoGP FP1 timesheets at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya with a lap of 1:39.950. Jorge Martín had led for much of the session before finishing 0.349 seconds adrift in second and suffering a heavy crash at Turn 12 after earlier brushing his shoulder at Turn 5 and returning to the Aprilia garage. Pedro Acosta and Marco Bezzecchi completed the FP1 top five, 0.438 seconds and 0.472 seconds off the pace respectively. KTM rider Brad Binder also suffered a crash during FP1.

Reigning champion Marc Marquez was absent from the Catalan weekend after shoulder surgery to remove two damaged screws and a bone fragment that had compressed his radial nerve, and his Le Mans foot fracture was reported as stabilized. Tech3’s Maverick Viñales returned to action after missing three grands prix, and Yamaha test rider Augusto Fernández made a second MotoGP wildcard appearance at the Catalan round.