Marco Bezzecchi
Fabio Di Giannantonio could now replace Ai Ogura at Trackhouse for 2027 if Ducati do not accept his conditions to stay at VR46 ahead of Fermin Aldeguer’s arrival next year.
Trackhouse team manager Davide Brivio has confirmed that Ogura is now set to leave at the end of 2026, amid reports that the Japanese rider has signed with Yamaha for next year. It is said that Ogura will replace Alex Rins at Yamaha in their new-look line-up with Jorge Martin.
Di Giannantonio could also be on the move in the MotoGP rider market at the end of 2026, as the VR46 rider is currently set to see his factory Ducati contract expire. The 27-year-old is still in talks with Ducati regarding a new contract, but it is not guaranteed that he will stay.
Ducati’s plan to move Aldeguer to VR46 in 2027 is also having an effect on Di Giannantonio’s discussions, as they would become teammates. Ducati are believed to have decided to place Aldeguer at VR46 instead of keeping him at Gresini at the start of the 850cc regulations era.
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Fabio Di Giannantonio could join Trackhouse if Ducati refuse to give him the same bike as Fermin Aldeguer at VR46
It has also been reported that Ducati have told Aldeguer that he will gain factory rider status at VR46 in 2027, which will include him getting a works-spec bike and the latest upgrades as they become available. But Ducati are not expected to offer both VR46 riders factory status.
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Yet Ducati’s supposed reluctance to offer both VR46 riders factory status in 2027 might now cost them Di Giannantonio. A report by MOW now suggests that Di Giannantonio has asked Ducati to give him a works bike ‘exactly’ like the one Aldeguer will receive for him to renew.
If Ducati reject Di Giannantonio’s request, he could then explore a move to Trackhouse with Ogura destined for Yamaha next year. Trackhouse are believed to hold an interest in a move for Di Giannantonio, but any swoop will depend ‘primarily’ on what Ducati are willing to do.
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Should Ducati accept Di Gianantonio’s request for equal status with Aldeguer at VR46 next year, then Trackhouse may turn their attention to the future of Honda rider Joan Mir. Honda are expected to drop Mir from their works team once his contract ends at the close of 2026.
Di Giannantonio and Trackhouse also both have alternative options on their radars for 2027, in case the former leaves VR46 and the Ducati stable but does not join the latter. It has been said that Trackhouse are one of four MotoGP teams interested in Di Giannantonio right now.
Along with satellite Aprilia team Trackhouse holding an interest, it is thought that the works KTM team, Tech3 and satellite Yamaha team Pramac are each monitoring Di Giannantonio’s availability. On the other side of the negotiations, Trackhouse could replace Ogura with Rins.
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