Marco Bezzecchi
Alex Marquez is set to become a factory rider with KTM in 2027, and his optimism is growing after seeing what Pedro Acosta is doing with the bike in 2026.
The Spaniard will replace his fellow countryman at KTM next year, with Acosta set to join Ducati alongside Alex Marquez’s brother, Marc Marquez.
The 2025 runner-up has a strong relationship with his current team Gresini, but despite riding a factory bike in 2026, he has expressed a desire to become a factory rider. Subsequently, Marquez has signed with KTM from 2027 onwards, and he is feeling good about his decision.
Alex Marquez looks to be KTM-bound! 😲 Has he made the right choice leaving Gresini?
KTM have taken a step forward in recent months, courtesy of Acosta. After scoring 11 podiums, including Sprints, in the second half of 2025, the 21-year-old grabbed his maiden MotoGP win in the Sprint in Buriram this year.
P2 at the Thailand GP and P3 at the United States GP puts Acosta third in the standings behind the Aprilia riders heading into the one-month break. Meanwhile, Marquez is struggling with the GP26, but he is not thinking about his current manufacturer’s woes.
Alex Marquez is ‘happier’ about Pedro Acosta’s KTM displays than worrying about Ducati’s problems
Marquez has only finished as high as sixth thus far in 2026, with the Gresini rider struggling to extract top performance from the GP26. Yet, Ducati’s issues are not his primary thought, according to journalist Mela Chercoles.
Speaking via Motociclismo, he says that Marquez is more focused on Acosta’s performances at KTM. He has shown him that results are possible on the RC16.
“He’s in a situation where he’s going to give it his all right until the end of the season, but I’ll tell you one thing,” said Chercoles.
“Right now, he’s almost happier to see that there’s a chance of achieving good results with the KTM, given Acosta’s performance, than he is worried about Ducati’s slump.
“He’s a professional, isn’t he? But he’s no longer motivated by it, and he’s just happy that KTM is doing well. I’ll remind you that the other day he stood up for KTM for the first time.”
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Why is Alex Marquez leaving Ducati for KTM?
Marquez was one of many riders to make a swift decision on the MotoGP rider market for their 2027 contracts. Leaving Ducati for KTM, especially when the former have dominated the sport since the turn of the decade, seems like an odd choice.
But Marquez felt ‘unloved’ by Ducati, as while he did get a factory bike this season, he was never in the conversation for a move to the factory team.
Predict the order of the KTM riders in the 2026 MotoGP standings
Marquez feels KTM have been ‘disrespected’, standing up for the Austrian outfit publicly amid the rumours. He will be able to lead a factory in 2027, with his teammate yet to be confirmed.
Marquez demanded that KTM double their original offer for his contract. He wants to be on equal terms with some of the sport’s biggest names.
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