Marco Bezzecchi
Reports have suggested that Pedro Acosta will be partnering with Marc Marquez at the factory Ducati team next year, and the seven-time MotoGP world champion’s former boss has applauded the young Murcian for his ‘brave decision’.
Becoming a successful rider in the grand scheme of things in the premier class is difficult at the best of times, even more so when you have Marc Marquez occupying the same garage as you.
Renowned for his immaculate skill on a MotoGP prototype, the Spaniard’s former foe at Honda, Dani Pedrosa, has previously highlighted how Marquez can sap the energy out of his teammates merely through his celebrations with the team after victories.
However, Pedro Acosta seems to be up for the task, with a report in early January suggesting that he has already signed an agreement to become a factory rider for Ducati in MotoGP’s new era of regulations, which are set to take effect in 2027.
- READ MORE: Giacomo Agostini says Pedro Acosta’s rumoured Ducati move will give Marc Marquez ‘extra motivation’
Will Pedro Acosta become Marc Marquez’s toughest teammate?
Alberto Puig tips his hat to Pedro Acosta for backing himself against Marc Marquez at Ducati next year
In an interview with Diario AS after the first round of the 2026 MotoGP season in Thailand, Honda HRC boss Alberto Puig praised Acosta’s confidence to take the plunge and match himself up against Marquez at Ducati next year.
Puig noted that Acosta deserves to be in the same conversation as MotoGP’s legends, before the Catalan added how impressed he is with Acosta’s future plans.
He said, “Acosta is a great rider, and I understand that he wants to measure himself against the best and with the same weapons. That’s his right. I mean, he has prioritised that and it’s totally respectable.
“Everyone knows what they want for themselves, and there’s nothing to say about that. He has shown courage and made a brave decision.
“At the same time, he has also tried to secure a winning horse, which is Ducati, a priority. We’ll see how the bike performs next year.
“We’ll see in the future if he’s right, but he’s a brave man. Well, to be fair, there are quite a few brave people here.”
Having tried to force a move to Ducati’s bikes in the midst of last season, Acosta believes that he has what it takes to beat Marquez when given the exact same machinery as him.
MotoGP fans may rejoice at the sight of a fierce battle between Borgo Panigale’s two flagship riders, after previously sharing their dismay over Francesco Bagnaia’s lack of a threat to Marquez in 2025.
- READ MORE: Pedro Acosta explains why he is now ‘happy’ with his KTM bike despite gap to Ducati and Aprilia
Has Pedro Acosta lived up to the hype in his MotoGP career to date?
Francesco Bagnaia may have landed on his feet following Pedro Acosta’s suggested Ducati move
Following the emergence of Ducati’s expected acquisition of Acosta for 2027, it was reported that Bagnaia has signed a four-year deal to join Aprilia.
With Aprilia showcasing an unprecedented level of dominance during the Italian constructor’s history at the Thailand Grand Prix, the #63’s exit from Borgo Panigale could actually be a blessing in disguise.
Of course, a new era of technical regulations renders this year’s performance of Aprilia’s prototype completely redundant, but Noale’s trajectory indicates that they have a good group of engineers and technicians to go on to succeed in future years.
Aprilia star Marco Bezzecchi has admitted that it would be cool to partner with Bagnaia next year, but official confirmation over the move has yet to land.
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