Marco Bezzecchi
Ducati face a tough choice as they mull over who to put next to Marc Marquez heading into MotoGP’s new regulations in 2027.
We might not have confirmation of the six-time premier class champion’s next move yet, but there’s nothing to indicate that he would want to leave the championship’s best situation. Ducati do need to decide on who to put next to him, though, in a bid to maximise their success.
Although Francesco Bagnaia seems like a bit of an obvious choice, his future is far from secure following his performance this year. His two MotoGP titles are starting to feel like a bit of a distant memory, and there are plenty of other riders lurking within reach of the seat.
Bagnaia has been warned of a Ducati ‘disaster’, but his teammate has made him look fairly pedestrian this season. However, Marquez has revealed his biggest ‘weak point’ and recently showed at the Catalan Grand Prix that he’s not unbeatable himself. He just needs a strong and confident rider alongside him.
So who might they sign heading into 2027? Here at MotoGP News, we’ve compiled a five-man ranking of the most likely candidates.
READ MORE: Luigi Dall’Igna has just been told the ‘perfect moment’ to sign his dream Ducati target for 2027
Francesco Bagnaia – Ducati
This depends an awful lot on Ducati’s former superstar finding his best form again in 2026, and proving that he can still do it on their bike, but it’s possible. Bagnaia is right about one of Ducati’s ‘biggest problems’, but they may need the winter to strip the bike back and pinpoint it exactly.
It’s not even that he has to beat Marquez every week or contend for victory at every race, he just has to be capable of finishing right behind him and keep confidence in his abilities high. Otherwise, Bagnaia’s gap to Marquez could ‘widen further’ and leave them in a very tricky spot.
In recent weeks, Bagnaia has vastly improved at Ducati, but he’s still struggling to be contending for podiums with the GP25, which is where it should be at the very least. At least, by now, he knows exactly what he needs to do if he wants to save his seat next year.
Alex Marquez – Gresini
Although he’s one of the older options on this list, Alex Marquez has proven an awful lot of people wrong in 2025, with his stunning performances for Gresini. Pretty much nobody expected that he would find a way to have the best chance of finishing second in the riders’ standings.
Despite that, Marc made one Alex request behind the scenes, which proved that he’s no saint, despite their close relationship. He wants the team to sign Alex over the winter, which would see him promoted to a factory operation for the second time in his career.
The question this time is whether he can make the most of the opportunity presented to him. Marc ‘gave up’ fighting Alex at the Catalan Grand Prix, such was his advantage. Replicating that level of form, but on the same bike, could bring him into title contention, which is exactly what Ducati want.
READ MORE: Alex Marquez disagrees with brother Marc Marquez about joining Ducati amid Gresini heroics
Fabio Quartararo – Yamaha
Ducati have already chosen their preferred option for 2027 and he’s one of the most patient riders on the entire grid. For all Yamaha have encountered struggles, Fabio Quartararo has remained by their side, showing unwavering belief in their operation.
Now, there’s a chance that he will be rewarded with a big promotion if Ducati aren’t pleased with Bagnaia’s performance. Hiring from within could see them take Bagnaia or Marquez, but externally, Quartararo feels like their number one choice.
Yamaha changed their mind about the V4 engine and rushed to bring it sooner, after seeing a negative drop in their riders’ body language. If it fails to bring any improvement, then they will start to fear losing their rider heading into the new regulations.
Pedro Acosta – KTM
Ducati were waiting for Pedro Acosta ‘with open arms’, but he had to turn down a VR46 gig for 2026, as he still holds a contract with KTM. He has been one of the hottest properties on the grid for a while now, and will attract a lot of interest next year.
According to GPOne, Acosta had been preparing an escape route so that he could join Ducati soon enough, but his team’s performance has stepped up a notch recently. They’re in a far better position than they began the season.
At times, Acosta has suffered ‘a lot’, and with no confirmation over whether his current team will be on the grid in 2027, Ducati would be a very attractive opening. The main question is whether he thinks he could beat Marquez.
READ MORE: How Pedro Acosta responded when asked if he could beat Marc Marquez on a Ducati
Fermin Aldeguer – Gresini
The most promising rookie on the grid this season has been Fermin Aldeguer. Gradually, he has found improvements within the GP24 and found his way to the podium. At the start of the campaign, it looked as though he was really struggling.
Aldeguer will wear Ducati red ‘one day’, and is boosted by the backing of one of the team’s bosses, Luigi Dall’igna, who believes in his talents. With another season at Gresini, a victory or two could make him a real candidate for promotion.
Dall’igna made a big Ducati prediction for Aldeguer, and it could be a sign of what is to come. Have Ducati already pinpointed their man for 2027, or are they still mulling over the many options they have on the table?
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