Marco Bezzecchi
The 2026 MotoGP rider market should, on the face of it, be fairly settled. After a reshuffle last year, most of the grid are already locked into contracts.
World champion Jorge Martin has left Pramac, and the Ducati stable, to join Aprilia. That’s after Marc Marquez, a year on from his dramatic Honda exit, jumped up from Gresini to the Bologna outfit’s factory squad.
Marco Bezzecchi joins Martin at Aprilia after leaving VR46, while Pedro Acosta graduates from Tech3 to KTM. The other two factory outfits – Yamaha and Honda – both retained their line-ups.
Acosta signed a new multi-year deal last season, but it’s unclear whether KTM will be able to honour that agreement. Their motorsport programme is at risk, with the company under self-administration after accumulating more than £2bn of debt.
If KTM have to withdraw, then every manufacturer will surely be interested in Acosta. The Spaniard produced one of the finest rookie seasons in recent memory last year.
While Acosta crashed more than any other rider, the bigger headline was his scintillating speed. He scored five Grand Prix podiums, including runner-up finishes in Indonesia and Austin.
Michele Pirro wants to tempt Pedro Acosta to Ducati if he leaves KTM
Ducati will likely try and find a spot for Acosta if he becomes available. They already have Marquez and Francesco Bagnaia in their flagship team, but they can offer the 20-year-old a current-spec bike at either Gresini or VR46.
While Acosta might prefer a factory ride, he also knows that Ducati are the dominant force on the grid as it stands. They have won the last five constructors’ championships.
Speaking on the PecinoGP YouTube channel, Ducati test rider Michele Pirro admitted that he would love the team to acquire Acosta. He regards him as MotoGP’s next superstar.
He pointed out that the Murcian racer won both the Moto3 and Moto2 titles on his ascent up the Grand Prix ladder. Valentino Rossi, a seven-time premier-class champion, also achieved that feat.
“I’ll tell you that I would like to see him on a Ducati, of course,” Pirro said. “When a guy wins two world championships in three years and does what he did, you have to give thanks to the world for giving you another champion.”
Pedro Acosta must read what ex-KTM boss has said about their 2025 plans
Aleix Espargaro believes Acosta can win the MotoGP title this season. KTM were the nearest challengers to Ducati, in the constructors’ at least.
However, it remains to be seen what effect their off-track crisis has on their prospects. Indeed, the team’s former boss Francesco Guidotti says ‘performance is not the priority’ for KTM, who are focused on survival.
As such, Acosta may already be regretting his KTM deal. Had he known what was to come, he might have chosen to enter the open market instead.
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