Sports

Guevara Poised for MotoGP Debut with Pramac Yamaha

Izan Guevara is on the brink of securing a spot in MotoGP, with an anticipated move to Pramac Yamaha for the next season. Negotiations are reportedly in their final stages, aiming to conclude before the summer recess. This development follows Guevara's contract extension with Yamaha last year, solidifying his association with the manufacturer until the conclusion of the 2027 season, though his racing category for the coming year remained undecided at that time.

Guevara's impressive form in the latter half of the 2025 Moto2 season, culminating in a victory at the Valencia Grand Prix, coupled with a stellar start to the current year, featuring three podium finishes in five races, including a win at Le Mans, has undoubtedly accelerated these discussions. The 22-year-old, who will celebrate his birthday next month, first captured global attention in 2022 by clinching the Moto3 title with seven wins and twelve podiums. This triumph led to his promotion to Moto2 with the Aspar team, though his initial two years in the intermediate category proved challenging, yielding only one podium across 38 races.

His career trajectory shifted positively last year when he became part of Yamaha's Moto2 program, benefiting from the guidance of Pramac team manager Gino Borsoi. A brief relocation to Valencia allowed Guevara to work closely with Borsoi, facilitating a renewed focus and better adaptation to the Boscoscuro machinery. This period of intensified training and support was instrumental in reigniting his performance.

The strong finish to last season, highlighted by his Valencia victory, also earned Guevara a private MotoGP test with Yamaha in Valencia shortly after the Grand Prix. Despite less-than-ideal conditions in late November, his performance on the M1 bike left a significant impression on Yamaha's leadership. These factors have collectively paved the way for the provisional agreement that would see Guevara join Toprak Razgatlioglu at Pramac from 2027.

With Guevara's imminent move to Pramac in MotoGP, the future of current riders such as Jack Miller, a four-time MotoGP race winner, has become uncertain, as he reportedly has no other offers. Similarly, factory Yamaha rider Alex Rins is also without a confirmed seat, and his teammate Fabio Quartararo is rumored to be joining Honda next year. This prospective shake-up suggests that Yamaha's 2027 rider lineup will feature Razgatlioglu alongside three new faces: Guevara at Pramac, and Jorge Martin and Ai Ogura joining the factory Yamaha squad. This comprehensive overhaul is understood to be orchestrated by Paolo Pavesio, Yamaha’s managing director, indicating a strategic shift for the team.

The potential integration of Izan Guevara into Yamaha's MotoGP setup through Pramac represents a significant evolution in the racing landscape. This strategic recruitment reflects Yamaha's long-term vision, aiming to infuse fresh talent into its premier class teams. The move not only offers a promising platform for Guevara's continued growth but also signals a broader transformation within Yamaha's rider roster, setting the stage for an exciting new chapter in MotoGP.