Marco Bezzecchi
Ducati dominated MotoGP in 2025 and the 2026 season is still to begin, but the rider market for 2027 is already in full swing with claims that Pedro Acosta will leave KTM.
The Borgo Panigale squad achieved a clean sweep in 2025, as Marc Marquez won the riders’ title and helped Ducati win the constructors’ and teams’ championships. A Ducati bike even won 17 of the 22 Grands Prix across the season, while Aprilia won four and Honda won one.
But Ducati are not having a rest over the winter, as the Bologna Bullets are already putting a plan in place for 2027 when MotoGP introduces the new 850cc regulations. Ducati also have to consider their rider line-up, with Marquez and Francesco Bagnaia out of contract in 2026.
Acosta is also out of contract with KTM in 2026, and it appears that the Spaniard has already chosen to leave the Austrian crew. It is thought that Acosta has already signed a contract for 2027, and there is even a growing belief that the 21-year-old has agreed to switch to Ducati.
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Ducati could sign Nicolo Bulega and Pedro Acosta for their 2027 factory line-up
That is according to Motosprint, which now reports that Ducati and Acosta have both signed his contract for the 2027 MotoGP season. But doubts remain concerning who the Mazarron native will partner in Borgo Panigale, as there is no certainty that Marquez or Bagnaia stays.
READ MORE: Everything to know about Pedro Acosta from net worth to girlfriend
Ducati have not told Acosta who he might share the garage with in 2027, but Alex Marquez, Fermin Aldeguer and Fabio Di Giannantonio are unlikely to move into the factory team. The trio are ‘happy’ at satellite squads Gresini and VR46 respectively, at least for the time being.
Instead, Ducati could turn to World Superbike ace Nicolo Bulega to complete their line-up in 2027 with Acosta, should Marquez and Bagnaia both leave. Ducati have ‘promised’ Bulega a seat on the MotoGP grid in 2027, which could even become a full factory ride straight away.
The immediate priority for Ducati and Bulega is that he wins his first World Superbike title in 2026, as reigning champion Toprak Razgatlioglu goes to MotoGP with Pramac Yamaha. The 26-year-old will also be one of Ducati’s MotoGP test riders in 2026 alongside his WSBK ride.
Nicolo Bulega will help Ducati develop their 2027 regulations MotoGP bike
Bulega will help Ducati develop their 2027 MotoGP bike throughout 2026, as he gains extra experience on prototype machinery ahead of a potential move from World Superbike in line with the 850cc regulations. MotoGP will also switch to Pirelli tyres from the 2027 campaign.
READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Nicolo Bulega from height to career
Do you agree with Toprak Razgatlioglu that Nicolo Bulega deserves a MotoGP ride?
Testing Ducati’s 850cc bike should help Bulega prepare himself and hope to achieve more in 2027 than he secured while standing in for Marquez at the end of 2025. Bulega finished P15 in Portugal and Valencia in his debut MotoGP races after finishing second in WSBK this year.
No team can guarantee any rider that they will be successful under the new regulations, but Acosta seemingly believes in what Ducati are selling and having seen them dominate for the past five years. Acosta is still yet to get his first MotoGP win after 41 races on the KTM RC16.
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