LCR Honda rider Diogo Moreira secured his first podium in his MotoGP career by finishing second in the Sprint race at the Motegi Japanese Grand Prix. The Brazilian rider acknowledged the impact of the penalties in the result but stated that he showed a strong pace in the final stages.
Moreira won his first podium in the MotoGP career in the Sprint race at the Japan Grand Prix. The Brazilian rider finished second in the Honda practice race at Motegi and approached the podium in the final stage of the race.
Performance in the Final Stage of the Race
Moreira's performance on the podium was affected by the track limits penalties given to Jorge Martin and Enea Bastianini. Nevertheless, the LCR Honda rider achieved a very strong speed in the final laps while racing immediately behind two riders.
I felt more comfortable from lap to lap in terms of motorcycle performance.
Moreira expressed greater satisfaction with the motorcycle's performance from lap to lap during the Sprint.
I felt more comfortable from lap to lap, and I pushed harder. The motorcycle was there. In the end, I was inside the group. If there had been one more lap, I could have competed for the podium.
The Effect of Penalties and Results
Moreira stated that he saw Jorge Martin and Enea Bastianini exceeding the track limits and realized he was on the podium at that moment.
I saw the two riders slip into the green zone in the last lap, and I realized I was on the podium at that moment. This is important for me, and a very, very good result for Honda.
Moreira saw that Martin was experiencing tire issues; however, he stated that he was also on the limit during the final part of the the race.
I noticed Jorge having tire problems, but I was in the same situation. I was on the limit in the last two laps. Despite this, I was in the time and riding very strongly.
Comments on Performance
Following his first MotoGP podium, Moreira said he would focus on the Sunday race. He stated that the middle tire was not sufficient.
Today my pace was good. We will see how it is with the middle tire. As I said earlier, today's result is not a real result. We will compete to be in the top 8 or top 6 tomorrow. But you don't know what will happen.
He expressed enjoyment from the experience in the Sprint race and noted that his speed increased as the race progressed.
I will try to enjoy the race. I pushed harder in every lap today, and that's why I got faster as I went.
The Brazilian rider stated that while he achieved good results on Sunday races in the 2026 season, the middle tire made them more difficult.
This is what is happening this year. I can do such magical things on Sunday races, but the middle tire is difficult for us on Sunday races. I do not feel comfortable with the middle tire right now.
Thus, Moreira secured a noteworthy result in the Honda practice race for LCR Honda, achieving his first Sprint podium in his MotoGP career.
Figures
- Diogo Moreira finishes 14th in the 2026 MotoGP season with 74 points (Team LCR).
- Archive: Rookie Moreira second in MotoGP race (October 3, 2026)
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Go to sourceCompiled by Şükrü Utku Poyraz
