Manuel Gonzalez believes that being Spanish has held him back from progressing from Moto2 to MotoGP.
During the summer break, the current Moto2 World Championship leader, Manuel Gonzalez, has been outspoken over his beliefs that being Spanish has held him back.
The Spaniard leads the standings after 12 race weekends with four race wins and a further four podiums to his name.
However, he believes that he is out of favour to make a move to MotoGP in 2026 due to his passport.
"Being Spanish has its advantages. There are good conditions, and you can start early," Gonzalez explained in an interview with Speedweek.com.
"The motorcycle culture is more developed. You can train as early as three or four years old. There are many tracks, and the weather is good. But those are the only advantages.
"When you get into the World Championship, it's more difficult for Spaniards to move up to the next class because there are 20 other riders from your own country.
"If you're the only representative of your nation and you do well, it's better for TV broadcasts. If you're German, for example, it's much easier to make it if you're good.
"Making it into MotoGP as a Spaniard is more difficult. As a Spaniard, you have to be the best overall. If you're German, you don't have to be the best in the world to move up to the next class."
He also revealed that he was in the running for a Gresini Racing MotoGP ride for the 2025 season, but Fermin Aldeguer was chosen 'by other people'.
"Yes, that was one reason why I switched to Gresini back then," he said.
"There's a difference between MotoGP teams only seeing what you do on TV and hearing about it internally. Then they're closer and understand how you work.
"The main reason back then was to move to a top team. Gresini was always at the top and always had top riders under contract. It was more difficult at Yamaha. The move came about because I wanted to fight for the championship.
"Gresini was happy with me. They had considered sending me to MotoGP. But the decision was made by other people."
