Marco Bezzecchi
Giacomo Agostini is relishing the duel between ‘cannibals’ Marc Marquez and Pedro Acosta at Ducati next year. While a deal hasn’t been officially announced, Acosta is heavily rumoured to be joining the Borgo Panigale squad.
It is already one of the most anticipated match-ups in MotoGP history. Marquez is one of the greatest MotoGP riders of all time, but he will be 34 at the start of next season.
Acosta, a rising superstar heavily tipped to win multiple titles himself, will only be 22. The master vs apprentice narrative will be a dream for commercial rights holders Liberty Media.
Is Pedro Acosta going to beat Marc Marquez at Ducati next year?
Giacomo Agostini previews Marc Marquez vs Pedro Acosta at Ducati
Asked about the prospective partnership in an interview with MARCA, Agostini expressed his excitement. The battles between the two riders could divide Spain’s large MotoGP fanbase.
Agostini has previously predicted that Marquez will find extra ‘motivation’ from sharing a garage with Acosta. He has comfortably seen off two-time MotoGP champion Francesco Bagnaia since joining Ducati at the start of 2025.
Marquez and Acosta produced arguably the best Sprint race battle ever at the season opener in Thailand, culminating in the KTM rider’s first victory after the reigning champion was penalised.
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“They’re two cannibals, two strong, aggressive Spaniards,” said Agostini. “Naturally, in our line of work, your first rival is your teammate, but Marc will give it his all, he’ll give 100%. We’ll see a good fight, Spain will be on fire.”
Agostini, who won 15 titles across multiple classes, went up against elite teammates like Mike Hailwood and Phil Read during his own career.
Ducati’s 2027 rider line-up could be another Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo
Ducati’s move for Acosta sparks memories of Yamaha’s move for Jorge Lorenzo in 2008.
Unlike Acosta, Lorenzo was a rookie, but he was going up against a five-time champion in Valentino Rossi. Rossi had already been racing for Yamaha for four seasons by the time Lorenzo arrived.
While the Spaniard finished fourth in his first season, the two teammates went head-to-head for the title in years two and three. The atmosphere in the garage eventually became so intense that a wall was erected.
Marquez is expected to sign a one-plus-one contract with Ducati, while Acosta will commit for two years. It’s unclear how long the partnership will last, but the management skills of Luigi Dall’Igna and Davide Tardozzi may well be tested more than ever.
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