Diogo Moreira, the new MotoGP rider and reigning Moto2 World Champion, credits much of his preparation for the upcoming season to training alongside Marc and Alex Marquez. As the Brazilian joins LCR Honda for his debut in the premier class, he emphasizes how valuable these sessions have been in readying him for this pivotal step in his career.
Intensive Training with Marc and Alex Marquez Builds Confidence
Moreira’s move to MotoGP this year pairs him with a team featuring two top riders: Marc Marquez, the current MotoGP World Champion, and Alex Marquez, the series runner-up. Training together during the winter off-season allowed Moreira to learn firsthand from their experience and skill. He described this training as essential in boosting his readiness for the demanding challenges ahead.
At the end, I think we are ready to start this season,
Diogo Moreira said at the LCR Honda season launch.
He added,
“We made a very good job this winter, we trained a lot. I think after Valencia, the last race, we stopped only one week, so I think we are ready to start. We trained a lot together with Marc [Marquez] and Alex [Marquez] – at the end, it’s very good to train with him, and also I learnt a lot. I think we’re ready to start the season.”
Improving Performance During Debut Tests
Moreira first experienced the MotoGP environment during last November’s Valencia test. Recently, he returned to the track at the Sepang Shakedown test in Malaysia, held at the end of January. Over the three days, he notably improved his best lap time by 1.6 seconds, demonstrating rapid adaptation to the new bike and level of competition.
At the end, it was super-good,
Moreira reflected on his performance.
He also expressed the need to continue refining his skills:
I think we made a very good job these three days in Malaysia, but at the end we need to keep working on the new bike, try to understand more where is the limit. I think we are ready to [go] to Thailand.
Outlook for the Season Ahead
With his extensive training alongside top riders and promising times during pre-season testing, Moreira enters the MotoGP season with a mix of optimism and determination. His close collaboration with Marc and Alex Marquez provides a valuable foundation for growth as he faces the pressures of competing in the premier class. The upcoming races, starting in Thailand, will be critical for Moreira to establish himself among the elite in motorcycle racing.
