Marco Bezzecchi
Marco Bezzecchi has arguably hit his MotoGP peak at the perfect time. His stock is climbing precisely at the moment the rider market accelerates.
Bezzecchi ended the 2025 season with the first back-to-back victories of his career in Portugal and Valencia. After his best year in the premier class to date, he picked up a third-place medal.
One could make the case that Bezzecchi was the standout rider in the field after the summer break last year, even if he was aided by Marc Marquez’s injury. He is seen as the biggest threat to the Ducati dynasty heading into 2026.
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The assumption has always been that Bezzecchi would sign a lucrative extension at Aprilia, having emerged as the brand’s leader. But it might not be quite so clear-cut.
Marco Bezzecchi is on Ducati’s list for 2027 MotoGP seat
Aprilia CEO Massimo Rivola has revealed that Yamaha and Honda are approaching his riders about a 2027 deal. Jorge Martin’s links with Honda are already well-established.
Ducati could also be a threat, however. Speedweek say that Luigi Dall’Igna’s list of ‘potential’ factory riders includes Bezzecchi, along with Martin, Fabio Quartararo and Pedro Acosta.
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There are also internal candidates like Fermin Aldeguer, Alex Marquez or even Fabio Di Giannantonio. While Marquez has agreed to stay at Ducati, the under-pressure Francesco Bagnaia is ‘surrounded by a whole group of riders’ with their eyes on his seat.
Bezzecchi spent his first three MotoGP seasons aboard a Ducati at satellite team VR46 before joining Aprilia last year. Meanwhile, Martin won the title at Pramac and is considering options after injuries made his 2025 season a non-starter.
A seat swap for Marco Bezzecchi and Francesco Bagnaia?
When Aprilia launched their 2025 bike last week, Rivola predicted that Ducati will sign Acosta to replace Bagnaia.
Rivola’s remarks seemed to annoy Dall’Igna, who urged him to focus on his own team instead.
If indeed Ducati’s interest in Bezzecchi is real, then it’s an important piece of context. Tension is growing between the two teams expected to fight for the title.
Bagnaia has been linked with Aprilia himself, and perhaps a swap with fellow VR46 graduate Bezzecchi isn’t out of the question. Even with Marquez electing to stay put, the rider market appears wide open.
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