MotoGP boss dismisses “completely unfounded” rumours about Moto2 and Moto3

MotoGP promoter Dorna has shut down “completely unfounded” rumours suggesting Moto2 and Moto3 could be relegated to a secondary role in the future.

Marc Marquez’s celebration of his seventh MotoGP title in Japan uncovered a strategy conceived by the promoters at the beginning of the season, but one that was not communicated to the fans immediately. 

The idea is to separate premier-class achievements from championships won in lower categories, thus raising the profile of MotoGP.

The change led to concerns that Moto2 and Moto3 might lose visibility, face shorter calendars, or become support events similar to Formula 1’s junior series.

However, Ezpeleta has moved to make it clear that Moto2 and Moto3 will continue to play a significant role on grand prix weekends.

“I think that everybody knows how important Moto2 and Moto3 are to the world championship, and it’s probably fair to repeat it more often, because there seems to have been a huge amount of rumours in the last few weeks,” said Ezpeleta. “Some of which have impressed me.

“Like, ‘Wow, that’s a new one! You don’t hear that very often.’ Things like not racing at every event, racing on Saturdays… I mean, completely unfounded.

“We repeat continuously both behind closed doors and to the fans how important Moto2 and Moto3 are, and what an asset they are to the championship. 

“To have the stars of the future pointed out and introduced to the fans so quickly too. Moto2 and Moto3 are, and will continue to be, an intrinsic part of the championship.

“In MotoGP as an ecosystem, we are proud to say that no other motorsports property invests so much into their pyramid, ensuring the sport gets bigger and bigger and more kids are practicing the sport. We’re very proud of it.”

Ezpeleta confirmed that Moto2 and Moto3 paddocks will be moved to a separate location away from the MotoGP hospitality zone.

“There are, of course, some things that will happen behind the pitboxes, some arrangements physically in the paddock, which will also imply investing into better and more equal facilities for Moto2 and Moto3 on-site, but that’s not going to change what the fans see on track, the rider development, and seeing these kids step into the championship when they’re 17/18 and working their way through the ladder into the top class. That’s going to continue to be there,” he said.

Over the Japan weekend, there was confusion over how titles will be counted in motorcycle racing going forward.

Unlike Formula 2 and Formula 3, Moto2 and Moto3 are world championships in their own right, and as such any titles won in those categories carry greater value.

Maximo Quiles, CFMOTO Aspar Team, Valentin Perrone, Red Bull KTM Tech3

Photo by: Gold and Goose Photography / LAT Images / via Getty Images

Responding to rumours, Ezpeleta categorically ruled out Moto2 and Moto3 titles being diluted by the promoters.

“World championships are world championships, and world titles are world titles,” Ezpeleta said plainly.

“All the ones that have been granted will continue counting, it’s just how you go around the wording and the specifics. There’s been a change in tendency because of how the championship has evolved into what it is now, bigger than it’s ever been and more important, globally, than it’s ever been. Right now it’s clear that riders in Moto3, their ultimate target is to get to MotoGP.

“Before you’d have riders who were very successful in one class and [did] not move into the bigger-capacity classes, but that’s not the reality now. It’s hard to pinpoint a year where that stopped.

“Moto2 and Moto3 are not just feeder classes, they are world championships that are part of the Grand Prix global championship.”

MotoGP will undergo a major overhaul in 2027, with current 1000cc engines being replaced by 850cc units and ride-height devices getting completely banned.

Ezpeleta also teased “exciting” changes to the junior classes to reduce the performance gap between Moto2 and Moto3 bikes.

“We have some exciting announcements coming soon before the end of the year. It’s no secret we’ve been looking at changes and evolution to Moto3 specifically. If you look right now, more a mathematical analysis, with the new age limits and how tall kids are getting nowadays – except for myself – you can see there’s a consideration that has to be made for Moto3.

“I would say that the gap between Moto2 and MotoGP is probably where we want it to be, but the gap between Moto2 and Moto3 a little too big.

“There’s some exciting news coming in the future. It’s targeted at making the sport bigger, and making Moto3 and Moto2 better, and making more opportunities for kids around the world – whether it’s in this paddock or others around the world in national series. We take that into very high consideration. 

“As we invest into MotoGP and the sport and making the stars of MotoGP bigger, that does not exclude that we’ll continue to invest in the other classes for their presence in the paddock to be better, for it to be more equal, to raise the standards across the grand prix championship.”