David Alonso has admitted that his relationship with Dani Holgado has broken down completely following their collision at the Indonesian Grand Prix, with tensions between the Aspar Moto2 team-mates showing little sign of easing ahead of the Australian GP.
Speaking to DAZN, Alonso made it clear that the incident at Mandalika was part of a wider problem between the pair rather than an isolated racing accident.
“I’m fine physically now,” Alonso said, referring to the pulmonary contusion he suffered in the crash. “But the incident with Holgado seemed to me just like the previous ones. When someone isn’t a good person, there’s nothing you can do. I’ll carry on with my own thing, and he’ll carry on with his, and that’s that.”
The Colombian went on to question the atmosphere within the team, suggesting that their relationship had deteriorated well beyond what happened on track.
“There’s no relationship whatsoever, there’s no chemistry in the team, and it’s not a team,” he said. “The incident is the least of it. There’s much more to it than that.”
The latest dispute stems from the opening corner of the Indonesian GP at Mandalika, where Holgado made contact with Alonso’s rear wheel, sending the Colombian rider crashing out of the race.
Source: MC News
Alonso’s Kalex machine was too badly damaged for him to return after the red flag, while the crash left him with a pulmonary contusion. Holgado, meanwhile, escaped a penalty after race stewards decided the incident did not warrant further action. He went on to finish third.
The contrasting outcomes added to Alonso’s frustration, particularly after he was unable to continue in the race.
Holgado has offered a more conciliatory response, saying he had already apologised for the collision and did not intend to ruin his team-mate’s race.
“Unfortunately, things like this happen in this sport,” Holgado said. “I’ve already apologised, because I ruined Alonso’s race at the first corner, and that’s something you never want to do.”
The Spaniard also disputed the suggestion that their relationship had always been poor, insisting they had previously got along well. He described Alonso’s comments as a possible reaction to the heat of the moment and expressed openness to discussing the matter.
Holgado viewed the clash as part of the intense rivalry that comes with competitive racing, although Alonso’s remarks suggest that repairing their relationship may prove difficult.
The dispute comes at a significant point in both riders’ careers, with Alonso and Holgado scheduled to move up to MotoGP in 2027, albeit with different teams.
Alonso has secured a place with LCR Honda and welcomed the opportunity to begin his premier-class career with the team. He believes the move will provide a suitable environment to learn and develop, with access to technical support comparable to that available to Honda’s factory operation.
“I’m really happy, because it’s now official,” Alonso said. “I think it’s a great place to start out in MotoGP, to build a new family.”
Holgado, meanwhile, is set to join Gresini Racing, giving the two riders separate environments as they prepare for the next stage of their careers.
Their upcoming moves will eventually bring an end to their time together in Moto2, but the remaining races could prove uncomfortable if their relationship continues to deteriorate. For now, Alonso appears determined to focus on his own progress rather than attempt to repair the situation.
Whether the tension carries into their MotoGP careers remains to be seen, but the Mandalika collision has exposed a serious rift between two young riders preparing for the biggest step of their careers.