Marco Bezzecchi
Ducati’s 2027 rider line-up deliberations are likely to dominate the early weeks of the MotoGP season. Their dominance in recent seasons has made them the most coveted team on the grid.
Marc Marquez is expected to stay at Ducati despite speculation about a possible return to Honda. Francesco Bagnaia’s spot is a far more realistic target for interested riders.
Bagnaia knows that a continuation of his 2025 form could deny him a contract extension, even though he has expressed a desire to stay at Ducati for the rest of his career.
You are Luigi Dall’Igna. Pick your SIX Ducati riders for the 2027 MotoGP season 👇
According to Motorsport Espana, the big moves in the MotoGP rider market are likely to happen within the first three rounds of the season, which puts Bagnaia under immediate pressure.
Fermin Aldeguer’s injury drops him out of 2027 Ducati contention
Gresini rider Fermin Aldeguer is contracted to Ducati and emerged as a contender for Bagnaia’s seat after winning Rookie of the Year in 2025. He took his first Grand Prix victory in Indonesia and scored six podiums in total, including Sprints.
However, Aldeguer broke his left femur last week while practising on a Ducati Panigale sport bike at the Aspar circuit in Valencia. Gresini haven’t officially predicted when he will return.
There was some hope that Aldeguer could return for the start of the season, but Motorsport ES have learned that he may be unable to ride until the beginning of April. His earliest possible return date would be the Qatar GP (10-12 April).
Fill in the blank: Fermin Aldeguer will win ___ MotoGP titles in his career.
He is now ‘almost certainly’ out of contention for a factory Ducati seat. The crash ‘removes him’ from the shortlist because ‘the rider market waits for no one’, with the possible exception of Marquez.
Ducati will advise Aldeguer not to take any ‘shortcuts’ in his rehab, ensuring his development is not further compromised. He will have to postpone his ambitions of riding for the official team for at least another year.
A three-horse race to partner Marc Marquez in 2027?
With Aldeguer’s name crossed off, there are realistically three contenders to share the garage with Marquez. The first of those is, naturally, Bagnaia.
But Fabio Quartararo has also been tipped to join Ducati amid growing indications that his time at Yamaha is coming to an end.
There have also been suggestions that Pedro Acosta has signed a Ducati contract already.
While one of the two riders could theoretically accept a factory-supported satellite ride, there will be a limit to Ducati’s budget, particularly if Marquez signs a lucrative extension.
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