MOTOGP: Newly crowned 2025 Moto2 World Champion Diogo Moreira has identified the carbon brake system as the biggest challenge in adapting to the Honda RC213V during his first official premier-class test at Valencia.
Diogo Moreira, who will race for LCR Honda in 2026, got his highly anticipated first taste of MotoGP machinery at the Valencia test. Unlike fellow rookie Toprak Razgatlioglu, who benefited from private sessions, the Brazilian’s test was a true immersion, revealing one specific technical hurdle above all others.
Premier class bikes are defined by extreme features: the high-performance Michelin tires, immense engine power, and critically, the carbon brake system. For Moreira, the latter proved to be the most demanding area requiring immediate adjustment.
“At the end, I think the most difficult to understand was the brakes,” Moreira stated following the one-day session.
“We need to warm up the brakes very well. Also, at the beginning it was difficult to understand when I need to stop the bike. But, in the end, I think we made a very good job today.”
Moreira admitted that handling the RC213V’s explosive power was also initially intimidating. “At the end, the first exit it was difficult to open full gas in the straight. I was a bit scared at the beginning but in the end I enjoyed a lot, so I think it was much better the last session.”
Despite the limited track time, the LCR Honda rider was cautious about providing a deep technical review. “At the end it’s difficult to describe because it’s my first time on the MotoGP and also I was learning the lines, also the brakes,” he said. “So, it’s difficult to say, but at the end we saw the Honda is very competitive so it will be nice next year.”
Crucially, the test clarified the physical preparation required for his graduation. “For sure, now we need to train a lot this winter because at the end we made not too many laps today,” the Brazilian admitted. “I think we need to train this winter and let’s see.”
