Daniel Holgado is preparing to take the most important step of his career: in 2027, the Spanish rider will make his MotoGP debut with the Gresini Racing team, fulfilling a dream he’s had since he was a child. A journey that began when he was just four years old, with a mini-bike and a number – 96 – that has become part of his identity over the years, and has continued all the way to the World Championship, where Holgado is now competing in his second season in Moto2. The move to the premier class is already on the horizon, but his focus remains entirely on the ongoing Moto2 championship.
Holgado's growth stems from his ability to learn from every rider, seek perfection in every detail, and—when it comes to apparel— find the right balance between performance, safety, and freedom of movement. On this journey, equipment also plays a crucial role: for those who ride at the limit, feeling safe and comfortable on the bike means being able to focus solely on riding.
During the Dainese Project Apex event in Misano, we spoke with Daniel Holgado about his career, his relationship with his father, who has supported him since his earliest days in motorcycle racing, his dream of racing in MotoGP, and the challenges that await him in the premier class. And, of course, about safety, comfort, and the importance of the racing suit and the Dainese D-air® airbag. Here’s what he told us.
Dani, what was your dream as a child?
“My dream was to make it to the World Championship and, if possible, to make it to MotoGP one day. It was my dream for my whole childhood. And then, the biggest of all: becoming World Champion.”
What is the first memory you have of motorbikes?
“It goes back to when I was very young, and it is connected to my dad. He really loved motorcycles, even though he never raced, and my mom shared that passion too, so it was something that was part of our family.
I remember that when I was a kid, I always liked looking at my father's motorcycle. That's how I first got into motorcycles. Then, when I was four years old, he bought me my first mini-bike: a track mini-bike.”
Does your number have any special meaning?
“My number is 96, and it’s connected to that very mini-bike. When my father bought it , the number 96 was already on the fairing, so he asked me: “Do you like this number?” I liked it, and it's been with me ever since.
Last year I had to change it to 27, and that was the first time I'd raced with a different number. But the number 96 has been with me throughout my entire career.”
Who has helped you the most along your journey?
“Definitely my dad, who has always been there for me. When I was little, he came to all my races, along with my mom and my sister, but he also took me to practice, got my bike ready, and helped me with everything.
He's still my training mechanic today. During competitions, on the other hand, he helps me out as my personal assistant; he really loves it and does it with great passion. He’s the person I trust the most, and I’m so happy to be able to share all of this with him.”
Dani, no matter how 2026 turns out, 2027 will be the season of your big leap forward, with your move up to the premier class. What was the first thing that came to mind when you found out you'd be racing in MotoGP?
“It was an incredible moment that I’ll never forget, because it has always been my dream. When you arrive at the World Championship, you watch the MotoGP riders and dream of one day being like them. Being able to actually do that is really extraordinary.
I'm also very happy to be doing this with the Gresini Racing team, which I think is a brilliant team. They do a great job; they have so much history behind them, and many years of experience that can help me grow, improve, and become a more professional rider.
But going back to that moment, I could hardly believe it; I didn't even have the words to describe how I felt.”
Does knowing that you'll be moving up to MotoGP change the way you’ll be approaching your upcoming races, or do you feel you still have things to learn and prove?
“When we started talking about MotoGP at the beginning of the year, honestly, I let myself get a little distracted, because I inevitably found myself focusing only on that and what’s to come. Then, once everything was signed and finalized, I tried to get back to Moto2 and stay 100% focused.
I need to keep learning and working, because I think I still have a lot of room to grow. This is only my second year in Moto2, and it's a very challenging class.
For now, I'm very motivated to keep working with my team, which is helping me so much in every way—both technically and in terms of personal growth. Now I can't wait for the next race!”
Are you ready for MotoGP?
“I don’t think I’m 100% ready yet, because in the end it’ll be a totally different bike. I'll have to learn a lot of things: electronics, power, and how to handle all these aspects that we don't have in Moto2. Moto2 bikes don't have electronics, so you have more freedom. I'll have a lot to learn in MotoGP.
But right now, as I said, I'm completely focused on Moto2. I want to give it my all this year and try to win everything I can. That’s my current goal.”
What has been the biggest challenge you've faced since joining the World Championship?
“I think the transition from Moto3 to Moto2 was the hardest thing I’ve faced so far. The change is enormous. For many years, you’ve been used to a small, lightweight motorcycle with little power, and then you switch to a completely different kind of bike: heavy, very powerful, and with so many things to figure out and handle. It's very difficult at first, but with time and hard work, you figure it out and then you can achieve great results.”
Is there a rider you look up to as a particular role model, or do you try to develop your own style?
“I always try to learn something from every rider I see on the track. Especially from the MotoGP riders, who have a wealth of experience—I can learn a lot from them.
In general, when I have the chance to ride a few laps with another rider, I like to watch them: I try to figure out what they’re doing, how they take the turns, which lines they choose, and what their style is. For me, it’s always an opportunity to gain experience and learn something.”
Let’s talk a little bit about clothing and protective gear. How important is it for a rider to feel comfortable in their racing suit in order to push as hard as possible?
“The racing suit and the rider’s clothing in general, and the familiarity they feel with them, are essential. Safety comes first: we sometimes crash at high speeds, so we need to be protected.
Next come comfort and lightness: how you feel on the bike, how freely you can move, and how easily you can do everything you need to do. These aspects are also extremely important.
I really like the gear I’m wearing this year; with Dainese, I feel safe, comfortable, and at ease on the bike. It’s something that is really important to me.”
Which piece of your Dainese gear could you never do without?
“The suit. It’s very comfortable and different from the ones made by other manufacturers that I’ve tried in the past. The airbag, too, is essential. When you’ve got it on, you feel wrapped up and safe, because it’s all very comfortable. This is something that, in my view, only a brand like Dainese can offer.”
Many riders talk about comfort almost more than they do about safety. Why is it so important to be able to move well?
“Because we’re already at ease when it comes to safety today. The level is extremely high, and all the protective features work very well.
Comfort, on the other hand, is something that has to be just right for you, your body, and the way you ride the motorcycle. It’s something you can’t just take for granted.
Dainese does a great job with that.”
What is your next goal?
“To win the next race.”
What about in the medium term?
“To win the World Championship! My goal this year is to become the Moto2 world champion. It’s not easy, because the level of competition is extremely high and there are so many strong riders, but we’re working hard. Above all, though, I want to make the most of every race, every weekend, and every moment with the team, giving it 100%, as always.”
