Brazilian Diogo Moreira will step up to MotoGP in 2026 with the Moto2 world championship to his name.
The 21-year-old confirmed his title victory over Manuel Gonzalez with a cautious ride to 11th place in the final round at Valencia.
The newly-crowned Moto2 champion will graduate to the premier world championship class with the independent LCR Honda team next season – a move that was an open secret for several weeks before finally being confirmed by the Japanese manufacturer last month.
Gonzalez was only ever a long shot to snatch the Moto2 title from Moreira at Valencia, given that he arrived at the finale 24 points behind the Italtrans Kalex rider. The challenger would not only have to win the race but also have to hope for Moreira to finish outside the top 14 spots.
It was advantage Gonzalez after qualifying, with the 23-year-old claiming fifth spot on the grid. One row behind him, Moreira lined up ninth. Despite the lowly grid slot, Moreira knew that just staying out of trouble would almost certainly be enough to seal the title.
Diogo Moreira, Italtrans Racing Team, Manuel Gonzalez, Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP
Photo by: Gold and Goose Photography / LAT Images / via Getty Images
Moreira did exactly that, keeping well clear of any danger as the pack jockeyed through the first two corners. He settled into an early 10th place, then ran most of the race in ninth before dropping back to 11th at the flag.
By that stage, he already knew that Gonzalez had no chance of pulling off the victory he needed. The Intact GP Kalex had spent most of the race in fifth and sixth spots – close to the leaders but never able to seriously challenge them.
Gonzalez had given it everything, however, appearing to have asked too much of the bike or the tyres as the race progressed into its final third. He dropped rapidly through the field at that point, with Moreira passing him as he plummeted out of the top 10. He pitted in evident despair with four laps to go, but rejoined to register a disappointing 22nd place.
The race was won by Izan Guevara, who led the whole way and survived a last-lap challenge from Daniel Holgado. Ivan Ortola trailed the pair home to claim third place.
Moto2 Valencia GP — results
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