Marco Bezzecchi
Jorge Martin is set to be replaced by Francesco Bagnaia at Aprilia in 2027. But the start to 2026 has proven why the team need to go back on that decision.
The MotoGP rider market has been moving fast for the 2027 season, with factory teams and riders looking to snap up contracts quickly. Among them was Martin, who has made another rash decision for his MotoGP future.
It is said that Martin is joining Yamaha next season alongside Ai Ogura. The Spaniard’s transfer was one of the first to be reported, with the Iwata outfit likely paying him a significantly higher salary than what Aprilia could offer.
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The Noale outfit have wasted little time in finding Martin’s replacement, as Aprilia have reportedly signed Bagnaia on a four-year deal. However, neither transfer has been officially confirmed.
The delay in negotiations for the new Concorde Agreement has resulted in all rider transfer announcements being held back. Yamaha and Aprilia opposed Dorna’s latest offer, alongside KTM, and refused to turn up to a private meeting at Jerez.
This stalemate has led to speculation about the contracts and whether teams can go back on the agreements made with riders. After the first five races, Aprilia should absolutely be doing that to keep Martin.
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Aprilia must keep Jorge Martin over Francesco Bagnaia in 2027
Aprilia are the team to beat in 2026, having won all but one race thus far. Marco Bezzecchi looked to be the rider in control, but now, Martin is starting to stamp his authority.
The 2024 champion dominated the French Grand Prix, winning the Sprint and Sunday’s race from the third row of the grid. Now, Martin is a point behind Bezzecchi and is a clear title contender, but the same cannot be said for Bagnaia.
The Ducati rider’s woes have continued from 2025, having finished only two races since his win at Motegi last year. Bagnaia is lost at the Borgo Panigale outfit, while Martin is flourishing at Aprilia – a team and bike he is set to walk away from.
However, it would appear that the Noale outfit are not willing to let him go that easily. At Le Mans, Suzi Perry said Aprilia still think they can keep Martin, despite supposedly signing a contract with Yamaha.
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Now, admittedly, the speculation since then may have been blown out of proportion. But then again, with the delay with the Concorde Agreement, no one truly knows what has been signed, if anything at all, between Aprilia and Bagnaia, and Yamaha and Martin.
The reality is that Martin is in much better form than Bagnaia and is already proving that he can be a serious threat on an Aprilia. Massimo Rivola and the rest of the team would surely not want to let him walk to a rival if there is a chance of holding on to him.
Max Biaggi says Martin was ‘truly superior’ at Le Mans, and is starting to not only adapt to the RS-GP, but get the better of Bezzecchi. If there is a way to do it, Aprilia simply have to explore the possibility of keeping him from leaving.
The difficulty would be that this would have huge repercussions for the rider market, not to mention legal issues. Pedro Acosta has signed for Ducati next to Marc Marquez in 2027, and they would certainly not want to go back on that, especially with Bagnaia’s form.
Depending on what has been agreed, a possible solution is that Martin goes to Trackhouse and Bagnaia keeps his Aprilia seat, or vice versa. Whatever the case, the Noale outfit really need to consider going back on signing the Italian and keeping a potential 2026 world champion in their ranks.
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