David Alonso: From Moto3 Champion to Honda MotoGP Rookie in 2027

David Alonso is set to make his MotoGP debut with Honda in 2027, marking the next major chapter in the career of one of motorcycle racing’s most exciting young talents.

The Colombian rider has signed a multi-year deal with Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) and will step up to the premier class as MotoGP enters its new 850cc era. Alonso will become the first Colombian rider on the MotoGP grid since Yonny Hernandez competed in the championship in 2016.

The move completes a remarkable rise through the motorcycle racing ranks for the rider who has earned the nickname “BabyGoat” following his record-breaking Moto3 campaign.

David Alonso’s journey to MotoGP

Alonso’s success began in the junior categories. In 2019, he claimed four podiums in his debut European Championship season before dominating the 2020 European Talent Cup.

He won four of the opening four races that season and added another victory at Valencia to secure the championship. Alonso also made his debut in the Red Bull Rookies Cup in 2020, winning his first race and finishing fourth overall.

In 2021, Alonso moved into the Moto3 Junior World Championship while also competing in the Red Bull Rookies Cup. He dominated the latter championship, taking six victories to claim the title.

A maiden Junior World Championship victory at Valencia in 2022 helped pave the way for his move into the Grand Prix paddock with Aspar for the 2023 season.

Moto3: Alonso rewrites the record books

Alonso immediately made an impression in Moto3. After securing his maiden podium at Jerez, he claimed his first Grand Prix victory at Silverstone.

The Colombian finished on the podium six times during the final 10 Grands Prix of his rookie season, including four victories.

However, it was the 2024 Moto3 season that established Alonso as one of the sport’s biggest young stars.

He won 14 races, finished on the podium in 75% of the races and accumulated 421 points. His 14 victories set a record for the most Grand Prix wins by a rider in a single season across any class.

Alonso also became the first Colombian rider to win a Grand Prix World Championship, while his record of 14 lightweight-class victories in a season surpassed Valentino Rossi’s previous benchmark of 11.

The achievements earned him the “BabyGoat” nickname and heightened expectations for his move to Moto2.

Moto2: Learning, adapting and winning

Moving from Moto3 to Moto2 presented a fresh challenge for Alonso. His 2025 rookie season began inconsistently, with points finishes in three of his first six races.

The breakthrough came at Silverstone, where Alonso claimed third place. He then secured his maiden Moto2 victory in Hungary, before adding further podium finishes in Australia, Malaysia and Portugal.

Alonso has continued to make progress in 2026, producing a more consistent campaign. He recorded four top-five finishes during the opening five rounds before claiming a podium at Brno and his first Moto2 victory of the season at Assen.

Those results have placed Alonso firmly in the championship fight, with the Colombian currently fourth in the standings.

David Alonso joins Honda for 2027 MotoGP season

Alonso’s next challenge will be the biggest of his career: MotoGP.

The 2027 season will usher in a major technical change for the premier class, with MotoGP switching to 850cc engines. Alonso will get his first opportunity to experience MotoGP machinery during the post-season Valencia Test.

Honda has secured Alonso on a multi-year HRC deal as it looks to build a competitive future around a new generation of riders.

The 2027 Honda lineup is taking shape with Alonso joining fellow young talent Diogo Moreira, while Fabio Quartararo and Johann Zarco bring additional experience to Honda’s project.

For Alonso, the move represents the culmination of a rapid rise from the junior categories to the pinnacle of motorcycle racing.

The 2026 Moto2 season is still to be completed, giving Alonso one final opportunity to challenge for another world championship before beginning his MotoGP adventure.

From Moto3 World Champion to Moto2 race winner and now MotoGP rookie, David Alonso’s rise has been extraordinary. The 2027 season will reveal whether the “BabyGoat” can translate his remarkable junior-category success to the premier class.