Philippines to the World: Alfonsi Daquigan Set for Historic 2026 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Debut

The 2026 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup is rapidly approaching, and for the first time in history, the Philippine flag will fly on one of the most prestigious grids in world motorsport. Our very own Alfonsi Daquigan is currently in Spain, sharpening his skills at a high-intensity training camp in Tarragona.

Alfonsi is joined in by other top Asian talents, including Kiandra Ramadhipa from Indonesia and Kiattisak Singhapong from Thailand. The riders are putting in the laps together on training MX bikes, Ohvale GP mini bikes and Honda NSF250, preparing for the season opener at the Circuito de Jerez this April. Competing in what is widely considered the most demanding talent development series: the final doorstep to the MotoGP paddock, Daquigan joins a select group of 26 elite young riders from across the globe.

2026 Official Entry List

The class of 2026 represents the "best of the best" from regional talent cups like the Asia Talent Cup (ATC) and the British Talent Cup.

2026 Provisional Calendar

The 20th season of the Rookies Cup features 14 races across seven double-header rounds, all running as support races for European MotoGP Grand Prix weekends.

The Machine: KTM RC 250 RBR

To ensure the focus remains on pure rider talent, every athlete competes on identical, factory-prepared KTM machinery. These are purpose-built Moto3-spec prototypes that prioritize agility and high-speed cornering.

Engine & Performance

• Type: Single-cylinder, 4-stroke, DOHC, liquid-cooled.
• Displacement: 249.5 cc.
• Bore x Stroke: 81×48.5 mm.
• Power Output: Guaranteed minimum 37 kW (50 hp) at 13,000 rpm.
• Max RPM: Limited to 13,500 rpm (to extend engine life compared to the factory 14,000 rpm).
• Exhaust: Akrapovič Full Titanium GP EVO6 twin megaphone system (max 115 dB).
• Transmission: 6-speed sequential manual.

Chassis & Suspension

• Frame: Tubular chromoly steel trellis with adjustable headstock and swingarm pivot.
• Swingarm: Aluminum construction.
• Front Suspension: WP 45mm USD fork (RCMA3548).
• Rear Suspension: WP monoshock (BAVP 4618) with adjustable length and hydraulic preload.
• Dry Weight: Approximately 80.5 kg to 82 kg.
• Tank Capacity: ~11 liters.

Brakes & Wheels

• Front Brake: Brembo radial caliper with a single 290mm Galfer floating Disc Wave® rotor.
• Rear Brake: Formula brake system with a 190mm Galfer fixed Disc Wave® rotor.
• Rims: OZ Forged Aluminum (Front: 2.5×17 / Rear: 3.5×17).
• Tires: Pirelli Diablo Superbike Slicks (Front: 100/70-17 / Rear: 120/70-17).

Comparison Note

Unlike the full-spec RC250GP used in the Moto3 World Championship, the Rookies Cup RC250RBR uses:

• Forged aluminum wheels instead of magnesium.
• A single front disc instead of the dual-disc setup seen on some GP bikes.
• Sealed engines to ensure mechanical parity across the entire grid.
  

Compared to Moto3: