Marco Bezzecchi
Francesco Bagnaia increasingly looks set to hit the rider market, with Ducati expected to sign KTM’s Pedro Acosta, but a raft of fans oppose the Italian’s preferred new team.
The MotoGP rider market has fired into life very early this year, as teams look to secure their line-ups for 2027 and beyond as most of the grid are out of contract this year. Bagnaia is one of the many riders with a deal that is set to expire at the climax of the 2026 MotoGP season.
Ducati are believed to have already decided that they will replace Bagnaia, as well, after the two-time MotoGP champion only ranked fifth in the 2025 standings. He even failed to finish six of the final seven Grands Prix in 2025, yet his sole finish over that run was a win in Japan.
It is also said that Ducati are on the verge of signing KTM rider Acosta to a two-year contract from 2027. The Bologna Bullets believed they had to move early for the Spaniard, who is set to put pen to paper once Marc Marquez has signed a new two-year deal to stay with Ducati.
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MotoGP fans urge Francesco Bagnaia to join Aprilia over his favoured Yamaha in 2027
Bagnaia may not be on the market for long, though, as reports suggest the 29-year-old sees Yamaha as his preferred destination over Aprilia. It is claimed that Bagnaia is clearly leaning towards joining Yamaha in 2027, with financial considerations also likely key to his decision.
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Yamaha are in the market for two new riders as Fabio Quartararo is expected to join Honda, while Alex Rins is expected to leave the Japanese manufacturer. So, while Aprilia rider Jorge Martin is in talks with Yamaha to replace Quartararo, there could be an opening for Bagnaia.
But while Bagnaia might prefer to join Yamaha in 2027, MotoGP News’ readers on Facebook are keen to see the Italian join Aprilia instead if his future indeed lies away from Ducati. One MotoGP fan reacted to the latest rumours by claiming: “Has to be Aprilia to replace Martin.”
Another fan also claimed, “I hope he goes to Aprilia,” while one suggested: “Change is good sometimes, I hope he goes to Aprilia.” Seeing Bagnaia ride for Aprilia would delight a host of fans, with one also suggesting on Facebook: “Personally, I’d prefer to see Pecco at Aprilia.”
One MotoGP fan even begged Bagnaia to, “Go to Aprilia, please!” One fan also shared their desire to see Turin-born Bagnaia establish an all-Italian rider line-up at Noale natives Aprilia with Rimini-born Marco Bezzecchi, declaring: “Aprilia for the win. All, true Italian team!”
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Bagnaia seems likely to disappoint many MotoGP fans by favouring a move to Yamaha over Aprilia for the 2027 season, though. Prior reports suggested that Aprilia see Enea Bastianini as their priority to replace Martin as Bagnaia’s entourage did not respond to their approach.
While Yamaha have not won a race since Quartararo took victory in the 2022 German Grand Prix, Bagnaia would be pinning his post-Ducati future on how the team prepare for the 2027 regulations. Next year sees the introduction of 850cc bikes and a ban on ride height devices.
It is also said that Yamaha have a budget of around £10.5m to sign Martin and Bagnaia, and they have already offered the former £4.5m of that to replace Quartararo. Yamaha’s budget is far beyond Aprilia’s resources and now also seems to have influenced Bagnaia’s decision.
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