Marco Bezzecchi
The MotoGP rider market throws up chaos every new contract cycle, and that was certainly the case for the 2025 season.
There were a total of 12 rider transfers up and down the grid for 2025, which included some of the biggest names in MotoGP. Marc Marquez joined Ducati over Jorge Martin, with the defending champion defecting to Aprilia and three Moto2 riders were given their chance in the premier class.
Marquez would go on to dominate 2025 in his new colours, while Martin desperately struggled with injuries. The Spaniards kind of sum up the story of the MotoGP rider market for this season; some moves worked out much better than others.
So, with that in mind, MotoGP News has ranked every rider transfer of the 2025 season, based on the years the rider and team have had and whether the signing worked out.
12 Somkiat Chantra – Moto2 to LCR
LCR Honda took a gamble on Somkiat Chantra after finishing 14th in Moto2 in 2024, mainly because of sponsors Idemitsu wanting an Asian rider. That gamble would not pay off as he was dramatically off the pace all year, scoring just seven points and finishing behind four wildcard entries in the standings.
Chantra is out of MotoGP after just one season for 2026, heading to Honda’s World Superbike project. He is not the only rider to be one-and-done with his new team this season.
11 Miguel Oliveira – Trackhouse to Pramac
Pramac could not have had too much confidence in Miguel Oliveira, as they placed an exit clause in his contract for 2025. They would ultimately trigger it after a tough season, which yielded just 43 points.
Injuries did not help the Portuguese rider, an issue that has plagued him throughout his entire career, but his performance levels when fit were not up to standard, with Oliveira being replaced by WSBK champion Toprak Razgatlioglu.
10 Enea Bastianini – Ducati to Tech3
Enea Bastianini tried to break his contract with KTM, so much was his struggles at Tech3 after moving from Ducati. The Italian did slowly improve after the summer break with a podium in Catalunya, but Bastianini’s discomfort on the RC16 and P14 in the standings shows that more work is needed.
9 Jorge Martin – Pramac to Aprilia
Martin defected to Aprilia after he lost out on the factory Ducati seat, but the Spaniard would have more trouble with contracts in 2025 after suffering multiple injuries throughout the season. He competed in just eight race weekends all year.
Dorna blocked Martin’s attempts to leave Aprilia, with their drama seemingly long behind them. The Noale outfit did not see the best from the 2024 champion, but he produced encouraging performances after his return from injury – his potential with the team is why he isn’t lower on this list.
8 Jack Miller – KTM to Pramac
Miller was given a ‘prove-it’ contract by Pramac after a tough spell at KTM, and he did just about enough to secure a 2026 deal with that lifeline. While inconsistency hampered him and the team, his technical feedback and experience have proved invaluable to Yamaha behind the scenes.
7 Ai Ogura – Moto2 to Trackhouse
Trackhouse looked like they had pulled off a masterstroke by signing Ai Ogura fresh off winning Moto2 when he finished fourth and fifth on debut. While the Japanese rider has proved he is a promising talent, it was a tough rookie season for him.
Injuries and multiple crashes saw him fall behind teammate Raul Fernandez, who claimed a win at Phillip Island. But there is certainly more to come from Ogura, who will be looking to progress in his sophomore season.
6 Franco Morbidelli – Pramac to VR46
Franco Morbidelli’s relationship with Valentino Rossi saw him join his VR46 team from Pramac in 2025. The Italian had an average campaign with some podium appearances, but no wins in two seasons on the GP24, arguably the best MotoGP bike ever, doesn’t make for good reading for Morbidelli.
5 Maverick Vinales – Aprilia to Tech3
Injuries may have ruined his season as he finished the year in 18th, but it was quickly made apparent that Tech3’s swoop for Maverick Vinales would pay off handsomely.
He was the first KTM rider to find the balance on the RC16 in 2025, riding it to a podium in Qatar until his tyre pressure penalty. With his experience, Vinales helped his fellow riders get accustomed to the bike, and he will be key in 2026 if he can stay fit.
4 Pedro Acosta – Tech3 to KTM
Pedro Acosta’s promotion from Tech3 to KTM was more than merited after his rookie season, and the Austrians had to make it given the interest from other outfits. In 2025, he proved exactly why he is so important to them.
The Spaniard collected 12 podiums across all races after the summer break, finishing a career-best fourth in the standings. But his maiden MotoGP win still eludes him, hence why Acosta considered 2025 as a ‘waste’ – KTM need to improve the bike to keep him on board beyond 2026.
3 Fermin Aldeguer – Moto2 to Gresini
Acosta’s Murcian rival was given his chance in MotoGP in 2025 with Gresini, and it certainly must play on the KTM rider’s mind that Fermin Aldeguer grabbed his first premier class win before him.
The Spaniard’s six podiums overshadowed little periods of inconsistency as Aldeguer collected the Rookie of the Year award. It is no surprise that Ducati are thinking about him for the future, with him already showing incredible talent.
2 Marc Marquez – Gresini to Ducati
Marquez knew he needed to join the factory Ducati team if he wanted to win the MotoGP title again, and the team knew it too. His 25 wins exceeded what Luigi Dall’Igna thought was possible with the Ant of Cervera, as he was by far the dominant force in the premier class – yet he is not the top signing of 2025.
1 Marco Bezzecchi – VR46 to Aprilia
After leaving VR46, Marco Bezzecchi was ‘scared’ to sign for Aprilia due to the responsibility of being a factory rider. But the Italian could not be happier at the Noale outfit after what has been a stunning 2025 season.
He single-handedly guided Aprilia towards the front of the grid with three wins, making the RS-GP25 the strongest bike at some circuits. With Bezzecchi’s progress, he has dramatically turned his team’s fortunes around and has set them up to be title contenders in 2026.
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