Johan Zarco has suggested Barry Bates could be a surprise candidate for a MotoGP seat with Yamaha in 2027.
The 2027 MotoGP rider market has gone into overdrive ahead of the 2026 MotoGP championship, and a surprise Moto2 rider is now in contention.
Current Aspar Moto2 riders David Alonso and Dani Holgado are joined by MotoGP and 2025 runner-up Manuel Gonzalez.
However, current MotoGP rider Yohan Zarco has dropped another name that hasn’t been mentioned.
Barry Bates is ‘on his way’ to becoming a Yamaha MotoGP rider.
After finishing third in the 2025 Moto2 standings, Barry Baltus was nominated Johann Zarko As a future MotoGP rider.
This is where Zarco himself started his MotoGP career. Yamaha Having signed for Tech 3 in 2017, the Frenchman now believes Bates can follow in his footsteps.
Due to the relationship between Fantic, Baltus’ current Moto2 team and Yamaha due to Eric de Seins, Baltus’ transfer to Yamaha could be arranged by Seins.
Asked what Bates needs to do to secure his MotoGP ride, he added: “I think competing for the Moto2 title, beyond winning, adds real value to the MotoGP teams.
“That proves consistency, and more. He’s taken a big step and he’s going to be there this year. You can’t say he’s missing anything. He’s following a normal progression, you can say.”
Zarco believes Bates could end up with Yamaha in the near future, where the Frenchman started his MotoGP career, saying: “Since Eric de Seyns took over the fantasy, we’ve been saying that maybe the road will lead him further to Yamaha. It’s just rumours, but why not?
“That means if he has a bad season and doesn’t compete for the title, he won’t get a contract. But he’s serious about training and has real talent, so I’m sure he’s strong on the bike. He’s making good progress even on the 1000cc bikes, they’re fast. I think he’ll manage the season really well.”
Read more: Everything you need to know about Johan Zarco from career stats to net worth
Yohan Zarco will be on the MotoGP grid with Honda in 2027.
Although much of the 2027 MotoGP grid is still unknown due to the size of his contract, which expires at the end of 2026, Johan Zarco’s future is known.
The two-time Moto2 world champion will remain on the MotoGP grid with LCR Honda after signing an extension with the team for the 2026 and 2027 seasons.
However, it is stated that it is a lot Honda Racing Corporation bosses were not involved in Zarco’s contract extension. And they are not happy that it will be with the manufacturer in 2027.
Former HRC boss Livio Suppo said he would not re-sign Zarco for two seasons due to his age and MotoGP records.
