Another Portuguese man tries to enter the MotoGP World Championship. His name is Tiago João, 15 years old, born in Bragança and goes to the Rookies Cup selection competitions – the first step in the Paddock of the World Championships.
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23/09/2026
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James John is one of the young promises of portuguese motorcycles and, in october, will try to enter the Rookies Cup of 2027 – the championship that marks the entry in the MotoGP paddock and on the international road to the queen category.
On social networks, the young natural transmontano of Bragança revealed: “Super happy to announce that i was one of the chosen ones for the Red Bull Rookies Cup. We will be in Guadix from 5 to 7 October.”.
At only 15 years old, Tiago João already represented Portugal in the END MiniGP World Series in 2022 and has been making careers in the national speed championships (Sportbike, where he was champion this year) and Supermoto, as well as participating in the VF Challenge Motorace in Spain.
Unlike what happens in other categories, rookies Cup drivers are not hired by teams, but chosen by the organization – either by direct selection or by annual selection tests (which, for 2025 and 2026, elected eight young talents).
In 2026, they aligned 26 pilots, including Afonso Almeida which marked the return of the Portuguese representation. However, he added only five points and finished at the 25th post of a championship in which Beñat Fernández became champion by beating Fernando Bujossa for only five points.
The Rookies Cup 2027 selection races run from 5 to 7 October at the Guadix circuit in Spain. During the championship, hundreds of pilots have passed since its creation in 2007, including men who were once champions at MotoGP – Joan Mir and Jorge Martín.
Many others reached the highest class, including Miguel Oliveira, Brad Binder, Enea Bastianini, Johann Zarco and Pedro Acosta – among others.