The French MotoGP team Tech3 is about to begin a new chapter in 2026 with Richard Coleman taking over as team manager. After more than 30 years under Hervé Poncharal's leadership, the team will enter a fresh era under this British motorsport professional.
Richard Coleman, born in 1987, is relatively unknown to the general MotoGP audience but is far from inexperienced in motorsports. His career blends engineering expertise with business strategy, bringing a fresh perspective influenced by four-wheel racing.
Coleman started in motorsport as an apprentice engineer with Mitsubishi in the World Rally Championship (WRC), then moved to Chevrolet in the World Touring Car Championship (WTCC). This technical experience gave him a deep understanding of competition from a practical standpoint.
He founded Bamboo Engineering, which made a mark in WTCC, and later worked with teams in Formula 3, Endurance racing, and GT Asia.
In 2014, Coleman established Mayfield Sports Management (MSM) based in Silverstone, specializing in sports management, marketing, and sponsorship. Under his leadership, MSM negotiated over $150 million in sponsorship deals across motorsports, football, and cycling.
"This technical foundation, far from simple theoretical management, allowed him to understand competition ‘from the inside’."
Richard Coleman’s mix of engineering insight and strategic business acumen signals pivotal changes for Tech3 and MotoGP as a whole.
Author's summary: Richard Coleman, combining engineering skills with strategic sports management, will lead Tech3 into a new MotoGP era starting in 2026.