Marco Bezzecchi
Francesco Bagnaia’s reported four-year deal with Aprilia has been questioned by Neil Hodgson.
In between the Buriram MotoGP test and the season opener, reports began circulating regarding Francesco Bagnaia’s future.
It had initially been suggested that Bagnaia would sign for Yamaha for the 2027 MotoGP season, but it appears the Italian has decided to go down a different route.
As it looks like the two-time MotoGP champion will be replaced by Pedro Acosta at Ducati, Bagnaia has reportedly decided to put pen to paper on a deal with Aprilia, which would last for four years.
This move would see Bagnaia and Marco Bezzecchi as teammates for the first time in their MotoGP careers, as Bezzecchi has already re-signed with Aprilia for 2027 and 2028.
FOUR YEARS?! 😲 Has Pecco Bagnaia made the right decision for 2027?
Neil Hodgson questions Aprilia’s decision to sign Francesco Bagnaia
The reported deal has shocked many in the paddock due to the length of the deal, which compares to Marc Marquez’s unsuccessful four-year deal with Honda.
Bagnaia has struggled on the factory Ducati during the 2025 season, as the Italian finished fifth in the standings on his GP25, which resulted in him reportedly being dropped by the Italian manufacturer. This has resulted in him searching for a new deal with Aprilia, which, on paper, looks good for Bagnaia.
However, Neil Hodgson has questioned Aprilia’s decision to sign Bagnaia on a long-term deal as he voiced his opinion on the reports during TNT Sports coverage of the opening MotoGP session at the Thai Grand Prix.
Hodgson said, “Pecco to Aprilia, and according to Gav, this is what he has heard from the Italians: it is a four-year deal. I have only ever heard of one other four-year deal, and that didn’t work out, as that is when Marc Marquez signed the four-year deal with Honda.”
Guintoli said, “On the other hand, Aprilia, with the form they are in, they are very attractive at the moment and if he is not on the Ducati anymore…”
Hodgson responded, “No, but if you were Aprilia, why would you want to sign Pecco for four years?”
Which riders do you think will make it through Q1 in Buriram?
Francesco Bagnaia’s struggles continue at the opening round of 2026
The 2026 MotoGP season kicked off on Friday, the 27th of February, with the first Practice sessions at the Buriram International Circuit.
In the afternoon Practice session, it was Aprilia and Bezzecchi who topped the timesheets and secured a spot in Q2 on Saturday.
However, outside of the top ten and the automatic Q2 positions was Francesco Bagnaia, who ended the day in 15th place on the Ducati GP26.
The Italian rider was 1.298 seconds behind Bezzecchi on the timesheets, and may have proved Hodgson’s point in questioning Aprilia’s decision to sign Bagnaia on a long-term deal.
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