Marco Bezzecchi
Francesco Bagnaia has made the best move of MotoGP’s silly season so far, even with Pedro Acosta joining Ducati, Neil Hodgson says.
While the deal hasn’t been officially announced as teams continue to negotiate the post-2026 commercial agreement, Bagnaia’s switch to Aprilia is an open secret in MotoGP circles.
The Italian is leaving the factory Ducati team after six seasons and two world championships. The Borgo Panigale squad have opted to give his seat to Acosta and retain the legendary Marquez.
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Francesco Bagnaia’s move to Aprilia is the ‘best signing’ of the 2027 rider market
Rather than leaving entirely of his own volition, Bagnaia has effectively been dropped. This was unthinkable at one stage, but his stock within the team has plummeted since the start of 2025.
The #63 collapsed in the second half of last year, and neither team nor rider have definitively been able to explain why. His inconsistent form has continued into 2026, with mediocre weekends quickly becoming the norm.
And yet, Bagnaia has bagged a four-year deal at Aprilia, who were left with a vacancy by Jorge Martin’s move to Yamaha. Based on the current pecking order, this might actually improve his competitive prospects.
Marco Bezzecchi and Martin currently sit one-two in the riders’ standings and have built a 117-point lead over VR46 in the teams’ championship. The gap to Ducati is only 16 points in the constructors’ but they have still won four out of six Grands Prix.
Which MotoGP rider has made the best move for 2027 so far?
Bagnaia to Aprilia? Acosta to Ducati? Quartararo to Honda? Let us know!
“Talk about signings!” Hodgson said on TNT Sports during the French GP weekend. “He’s got the best signing so far, hasn’t he?
“I’m well aware that none of us know who’s going to produce the best bike next year, with all the changes.”
While the modified technical regulations could theoretically reshuffle the pack, Aprilia have been at the forefront of innovation in MotoGP in recent times, and that is a particularly valuable asset with a brand-new rulebook.
Neil Hodgson says Pecco Bagnaia’s relationship with Ducati is ‘over’
Bagnaia scored his first podium of 2026 at the Catalan Grand Prix last weekend, inheriting P3 after Honda’s Joan Mir was hit with a tyre-pressure penalty.
It’s difficult to know how much to read into that result, given the chaotic nature of the race. After Bagnaia failed to reach Q2, it was shaping up to be another forgettable weekend.
“The Pecco Bagnaia/factory Ducati relationship seems like it’s over, doesn’t it?” Hodgson said early in the race.
Valentino Rossi has called for Ducati to match Bagnaia’s commitment, though the rider himself insists the team are still behind him. A fractious end to the relationship could tarnish the memory of his glorious success in the past.
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