Marco Bezzecchi
Francesco Bagnaia’s Ducati future has been under scrutiny for several months now, and Aprilia chief Massimo Rivola thinks the upcoming season will be his final term at Borgo Panigale.
The two-time world champion struggled massively against Marc Marquez on equal machinery last year.
Ducati are enamoured with the Spaniard’s talents, and it has been suggested that they are currently prioritising Marquez over Bagnaia as they look towards 2027.
Pedro Acosta is also at the top of Ducati’s list for MotoGP’s new era of regulations, with unofficial reports suggesting that the Italian constructor has already come to an agreement with him over a future ride.
You are Luigi Dall’Igna. Pick your SIX Ducati riders for the 2027 MotoGP season 👇
Aprilia boss Massimo Rivola thinks Ducati will drop Francesco Bagnaia for Pedro Acosta in 2027
During an interview with Moto.it at the launch of Aprilia’s 2026 MotoGP prototype, Massimo Rivola was asked for his thoughts on the rider market heading into the upcoming campaign.
More specifically, how the Italian constructor’s fierce rivals, Ducati, will line up for the premier class’s new era of regulations.
Rivola answered, “I definitely think Marc will stay at Ducati. Pedro has already said he wants Ducati at all costs, so that’s practically a match made in heaven.”
Of course, Rivola’s prediction would see Bagnaia lose his status as an official rider for the Borgo Panigale-based squad, leading the Aprilia boss to be asked where he would see the #63 set up shop next.
He replied, “I can’t tell you, but Pecco is a champion, a multiple champion, he’s tempting to everyone.”
Given Bagnaia’s status as one of only two riders to have won more than one world title, it has been suggested that a satellite move for the Italian rider is ‘out of the question.’
In fact, Bagnaia may even find a new home at Aprilia if Rivola’s comments about him being tempting for every brand in the MotoGP paddock are taken seriously.
Francesco Bagnaia will finish … in the MotoGP championship in 2026
Massimo Rivola also spoke about Aprilia’s rider line-up for the 2027 MotoGP season
During his interview with the Italian publication, Rivola was also asked to touch upon the current sentiments he has regarding the future factory line-up of his own brand.
Following Marco Bezzecchi’s breakout season with Aprilia in 2025, it seems as if he is now the lead rider over Jorge Martin because of the injury struggles the Spaniard faced last year.
Rivola said, “Let’s see, with [Bezzecchi], we’re building something that could go down in history.
“We’d like to see Jorge physically fit, then start working from there. Jorge’s speed and talent are unquestionable, so we hope to have the time to do it.”
Martin’s future at Aprilia has been in question ever since the beginning of his contract saga that gripped the paddock in the midst of the 2025 term.
Honda have reportedly already tabled an offer to Martin for 2027, so the upcoming campaign will be crucial in deciding where he finds himself racing in the following season.
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