Marc Marquez’s father reportedly warned that a newcomer to MotoGP could be even quicker than his son on a dirt track. In a telling remark captured by LCR MotoGP team boss Lucio Cecchinello, the veteran rider’s dad shared that reigning Moto2 champion Diogo Moreira is “faster than my son on a dirt bike.”
Moreira, a Brazilian rising star, will advance to MotoGP next year with LCR Honda after securing a three-year contract directly with Honda. Since breaking onto the world stage, Moreira has drawn serious attention, clinching his first world title in Moto2 in 2025 and earning strong support from prominent figures within the sport, including the Marquez camp.
Cecchinello, speaking with Italy’s GPOne, said Moreira possesses the traits that typically signal future success in MotoGP, and even recounted a humorous anecdote about the Marquez family. According to him, Diogo’s father told him, “He goes faster than my son on a dirt bike!”
The story highlights Moreira’s rapid ascent. He has excelled across multiple disciplines, from a notable Supermoto World Championship appearance where he outpaced the runner-up, to strong performances in flat-track at the VR46 Ranch, a Moto3 race win, and ultimately the Moto2 world championship. All of these achievements underpin the belief that Moreira could be a strong fit for MotoGP, provided time and guidance are allotted for learning.
Moreira is one of two rookies entering MotoGP next season, alongside three-time World Superbike champion Toprak Razgatlioglu. At the Valencia post-season test, Moreira finished just over half a second behind Razgatlioglu, who had already sampled the Yamaha in a private session.
This year also marks Brazil’s return to the MotoGP calendar, with the series set to race at the Ayrton Senna circuit in the Goiania region—the country’s first Grand Prix since Rio de Janeiro’s event in 2004.
Note: This report draws on coverage from Crash.net and related MotoGP reporting.
