Marco Bezzecchi
The MotoGP rider market has been brewing on high heat for a matter of months now, and legendary rider agent Carlo Pernat believes the newfound hastiness is the result of Jorge Lorenzo’s 2017 move to Ducati.
Following a swathe of rumours that came out over the winter break, Fabio Quartararo set the rider market into motion after it emerged that the former world champion was finalising a deal to sign for Honda at the end of the upcoming 2026 season.
That was quickly followed up by Jorge Martin reportedly signing for Yamaha to replace the departing Frenchman, as well as the emergence of a multitude of other deals happening behind closed doors.
Due to the fact that the 2027 term is still over 12 months away, many figures within the premier class paddock, including Aprilia chief Massimo Rivola, have called for a football-style transfer window to be implemented during the MotoGP season.
Renowned rider agent Carlo Pernat agrees with the idea and drew attention to the moves of Jorge Lorenzo in 2017 as the main catalyst for why the market has moved so fast in recent years.
- READ MORE: Marc Marquez is playing ‘hardball’ in his Ducati contract talks to keep Honda return dream alive
Marco Bezzecchi smashes the lap record at Buriram! Is he now the favourite for the Thailand Grand Prix? 🇹🇭
Let us know in the comments below!
Carlo Pernat says Jorge Lorenzo’s 2017 Ducati switch was the catalyst for today’s rider market ‘chaos’
During an interview with Moto.it, Pernat was asked whether it would even be possible for MotoGP to implement a transfer window to put a stop to premature deals being done.
The Italian replied, “Yes, and I already said this last year: you can’t do business like this. You can’t start negotiating when you’re still on a bike, knowing that you’re leaving.
“It’s completely wrong, I totally agree. We need a specially designed window. I would set it for July, two months, July and August.
“That’s how it used to be: everyone would go to Assen, team managers, sporting directors, we would talk and come to an agreement. It wasn’t the war it is now.”
Pernat then offered his opinion on what the punishment should be for any parties who decide to violate the terms of an agreed window, while also identifying Lorenzo’s Ducati move as the origin of it all.
He added, “Fixed penalties: one million euros, or half the salary, or a Grand Prix disqualification. Something concrete.
“This year, they made fools of themselves, go ahead and write ‘fools’, because that’s the right word. I hope they really do implement the window. Without it, it will always be like this.
“The origin of all this chaos, if you remember, was Lorenzo with Ducati, already in Qatar… the move from Yamaha to Ducati. That was the root of the problem.”
Who do YOU think will be the biggest disappointment of the 2026 MotoGP season?
Francesco Bagnaia looks like the next rider to make a move in the MotoGP rider market
Amid Pernat’s comments regarding the current landscape of the rider market, it emerged that Francesco Bagnaia is now close to completing a deal which would see him become an official Aprilia rider for 2027.
It is understood that the two-time world champion rejected a sizeable pay cut to continue with Ducati, with the two-time world champion opting to receive his dues while still competing at the front with the Noale-based brand.
Nothing has been confirmed as of yet, with it previously being suggested that one-third of the grid will make decisions within the coming week.
Receive racing news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
