Ducati goes full-throttle on Dani Holgado despite Dorna pushback

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According to reports, Ducati are expected to place Dani Holgado at Gresini next season, despite pressure from MotoGP bosses for more diversity on the grid.

Holgado is set to join a growing list of riders on factory deals racing for satellite teams, following a similar path as Fermin Aldeguer and possibly Fabio Di Giannantonio. As for his future teammate, Enea Bastianini is currently the frontrunner ahead of World Superbikes leader Nicolo Bulega.

The Spaniard finished second in the Moto2 standings last year after breaking through with three wins and six podiums. He also came sixth in his rookie campaign. After three races this season, he’s third in the championship despite going scoreless at Austin due to a penalty.

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Dani Holgado’s Gresini move could add to Spanish presence in MotoGP

As reported by Motorpasion Moto, the MotoGP Sports Entertainment Group (formerly Dorna) is looking to address the number of Spanish riders on the grid. Eight of this year’s 22 riders are from Spain, making up more than a third of the field.

They’ve been encouraging teams to bring in riders who can attract new audiences. The hope was that commercial incentives would outweigh any potential drawbacks on track, but teams don’t seem to be buying into that approach.

MSEG have admitted that when a rider’s performances in the lower categories are ‘unquestionable’, they’ll move up regardless of where they’re from. In Holgado’s case, though, they don’t see his results as being exceptional enough for promotion.

Ducati have gone ahead with his signing ‘against the wishes of Dorna’, and it appears their roster will be filled by Spaniards and Italians next season.