Marco Bezzecchi
Marc Marquez has just all but confirmed that KTM rider Pedro Acosta will join Ducati for the 2027 season after sharing his glee that his fellow Spaniard is not on the GP26.
It has been an open secret in the MotoGP paddock all year that Ducati intend to sign Acosta to partner with Marquez next season. Ducati bosses lost faith in Francesco Bagnaia after his dire run towards the end of the 2025 season and moved to capitalise on Acosta’s availability.
Acosta is out of contract with KTM at the close of 2026, but he seemingly did not waste any time before agreeing to move to Ducati at the start of the 850cc era. Reports emerged back at the start of this year that Ducati have agreed to sign KTM’s Acosta on a two-year contract.
Does Marc Marquez already think Pedro Acosta will challenge him at Ducati in 2027? 👀
Marc Marquez teases that Pedro Acosta will be riding a Ducati soon
Ducati are yet to confirm Acosta’s expected move as they are still locked in negotiations with MotoGP regarding the new collective commercial deal. But Marquez teased after the Sprint Race at the 2026 Hungarian Grand Prix on Saturday that Acosta will be riding a Ducati soon.
READ MORE: Marc Marquez edges Pedro Acosta by 0.053s for Hungarian Grand Prix pole
Marquez has reiterated his belief from after the Italian Grand Prix that Acosta is a great rider and one who will be a big threat to him for years to come, once on a more competitive bike.
The 11-year age gap between the two Spaniards was also not lost on him whilst they sat on the grid at Balaton Park, before Marquez beat Acosta to win the Sprint at the Hungarian GP.
Marquez told DAZN: “I was looking at the front row today, and I saw that Acosta is 10 years younger than me, and Fermin [Aldeguer] is 11. This means that young people are coming in, and it’s a natural transition in life.
“All athletes have their moment – it will affect some people more than others, but a natural transition is that young people gradually push you forward. You keep pushing a little further, but there will come a time when they’ll be pushing you more, and pushing you aside.
“There’s a great Acosta… I already said it in Mugello, thank goodness he’s not riding a Ducati… at least not yet!”
Acosta and Marquez had a great battle during the Italian GP at Mugello last week, which left a big impression on the latter. Speaking after the race, Marquez backed Acosta to fight for the MotoGP title once he gets on a bike capable of winning titles – which could be a Ducati.
Marquez’s blessing for Acosta to join Ducati in 2027 was crucial for the Borgo Panigale outfit, as reports back in January claimed he could have blocked the Bologna Bullets from signing his Spanish compatriot. But Marquez agreed to let Acosta join Ducati, ending VR46’s hopes.
Receive racing news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
