Marco Bezzecchi
Ducati CEO Claudio Domenicali has revealed that Enea Bastianini could make his return to the Borgo Panigale outfit in 2027 amid links to Gresini.
Ducati are looking to act fast to secure their riders for the 2027 season. There looks to be almost wholesale changes, with Pedro Acosta joining the factory team, Fermin Aldeguer moving to VR46 and Gresini needing a new rider pairing.
KTM have an option to extend Enea Bastianini’s contract but could lose Tech3 – Should he join the factory KTM team in 2027?
Alex Marquez is set to join KTM next year, and with Aldeguer gone, Nadia Padovani’s team will need to bring in a new line-up. According to reports, Moto2 star Daniel Holgado is joining Gresini, despite protests from Dorna.
Gresini are in talks with several riders for 2027. One of them is Bastianini, who is being linked with a return to Ducati after two seasons away.
Claudio Domenicali says Enea Bastianini could ‘return to Ducati’ in 2027
The Italian left the Borgo Panigale outfit after four years in 2024. Bastianini had been with Ducati since he joined the premier class in 2021 with the satellite team Esponsorama.
He joined Gresini in 2022, where he recorded his best season to date with third, before moving to the factory Ducati team. Bastianini spent two years alongside Francesco Bagnaia, finishing fourth in 2024 after a torrid 2023 campaign with injuries.
With Marc Marquez signing with Ducati in 2025, Bastianini joined KTM Tech3 alongside Maverick Vinales, where he has struggled to adapt to the RC16. Now, he is being linked with a return to Bologna and a return to Gresini in 2027.
Domenicali addressed the rumours via Corriere Romagna, where he confirmed that a potential move is very possible.
“Enea is another rider, certainly a huge talent, who, for a variety of reasons, has never quite managed to land the decisive blow, but let’s see, who knows, maybe he could even return to Ducati,” he said.
READ MORE: Everything to know about Enea Bastianini from net worth to career stats
KTM could prevent Enea Bastianini from leaving
Bastianini has made no secret of his intention to leave KTM. He tried to break his contract in 2025, but Dorna prevented riders from ending their deals early.
But with his contract expiring in 2026, he is looking for a way out as the new regulations approach. Bastianini was linked with Yamaha, but the Iwata outfit have now opted to sign Jorge Martin and Ai Ogura.
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Gresini look to be his most likely destination, with the team pairing an experienced head with a rookie in Holgado. However, there could be another twist.
KTM could block Bastianini’s Gresini move due to a clause in his contract that triggers another year’s extension beyond 2027. They do not need to consult the Italian before doing so, thus creating a complicated situation.
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