Gresini's 2027 Vision
Gresini Racing Announces Joan Mir and Daniel Holgado for New 2027 MotoGP Lineup
Key Points
Mir's deal with Gresini is described as a two-year agreement in which he will race with private machinery and has no contractual relationship with Ducati.
Some coverage emphasizes a Ducati Corse-backed arrangement for Mir, noting a multi-year deal and an official factory-spec Ducati in Mir's garage for 2027.
Holgado has described joining MotoGP as the dream of his life, highlighting the emotional significance of moving up with a team like Gresini.
Holgado's recent Moto2 form has been strong, with a third-place in Thailand and a Brazil victory to start 2026, putting him at the front of the early 2026 title fight.
Holgado is the first rookie confirmed for 2027 at Gresini, signaling a fresh, all-new rider pairing for the 850cc era and reinforcing the broader grid reshuffle shaping MotoGP's new era.
Gresini Racing has confirmed its full 2027 MotoGP lineup, signing double world champion Joan Mir and Moto2 standout Daniel Holgado to replace departing riders Alex Marquez and Fermin Aldeguer, according to MotoGP.com. Both deals are two-year agreements covering 2027 and 2028, positioning the team for the sport's biggest rule change in 15 years — a switch from 1000cc to 850cc engines.
Gresini announced Holgado first, at 9:34 AM on July 2, then confirmed Mir just over an hour later. The back-to-back announcements signal an aggressive push by the Italian satellite team to assert itself ahead of the new era.
Mir Leaves Honda Behind for a Fresh Ducati Start
Joan Mir spent four years at Honda HRC without a single podium finish. The 2020 MotoGP world champion made his decision privately in May 2026 during the Spanish Grand Prix at Jerez, citing a lack of technical progress, according to AutoHebdo. His manager Paco Sanchez said in early June: "The only certainty is that Joan will not be a Honda rider in 2027."
His move to Gresini mirrors Marc Marquez's switch to the same team in 2024 — a satellite Ducati seat that revived a struggling career. Crash.net reports that Mir will receive official factory-spec Ducati machinery, placing him on equal footing with the works team for development priority. However, Motorsport.com notes he is contracted by Gresini directly, with no formal deal with Ducati Corse itself.
Holgado Arrives as the 850cc Era's First Confirmed Rookie
Daniel Holgado is 2026's hottest Moto2 name. He took a third place in Thailand and won in Brazil to open the season. He currently sits sixth in the Moto2 standings with 95 points, according to Motorsport.com. That early-season form made him the top target for teams looking to lock in young talent before the regulation reset.
Holgado did not hide his feelings at the announcement. "It is literally the dream of my life to race in the premier class," he said, per MotoGP.com. Team owner Nadia Padovani called the pairing a blend of "youth and experience." Analysts at The Race called Gresini the early winner of the 2027 transfer market, noting the team's history of developing riders like Enea Bastianini and Fermin Aldeguer.
Why the 850cc Switch Makes This Pairing Make Sense
The 2027 rules are the biggest reset since 2012. Engines shrink from 1000cc to 850cc, with bore size cut from 81mm to 75mm. Minimum bike weight drops to 153kg, down from 157kg. Teams must also switch to 100% renewable fuel, with tank capacity cut to 20 liters, per Motorsport.com.
Mir's championship was won on the agile, lighter Suzuki GSX-RR — a bike many experts say resembles what the 850cc machines will feel like. That makes his rider feedback especially valuable for Ducati as it develops the new Desmosedici. Ducati Corse boss Gigi Dall'Igna confirmed the extended Gresini partnership, citing "shared values and technical expertise," according to Crash.net.
A Grid in Flux as the New Era Takes Shape
Gresini's moves are part of a sweeping reshuffle across the whole MotoGP grid. MotoGP.com reports that Jorge Martin and Ai Ogura have already signed with Yamaha, while Aprilia has locked in Francesco Bagnaia and Marco Bezzecchi. All 11 teams signed the 2027–2031 participation agreement on June 25, making the new era official.
Gresini's outgoing riders also have new homes. Alex Marquez moves to factory KTM. Fermin Aldeguer goes to VR46 — a loss that reportedly left Gresini frustrated, per Motorsport.com, and likely pushed the team to move quickly on Mir. Honda, meanwhile, loses its most experienced development voice and must rebuild around a new roster for 2027.
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