Marco Bezzecchi
Neil Hodgson has reacted to the recent confirmation of Francesco Bagnaia swapping Ducati for Aprilia next season, warning the Bologna-based MotoGP constructor that the Italian will be taking a ‘treasure trove’ of information with him to their local rivals.
Following confirmation that MotoGP had come to an agreement with every constructor regarding a new commercial deal, Ducati opened the floodgates as they officially announced Marc Marquez and Pedro Acosta as their line-up for 2027.
How many titles will Francesco Bagnaia win with Aprilia over the next four years?
In turn, Francesco Bagnaia will be making the move from Borgo Panigale to Noale at the end of the year, after Aprilia confirmed that he would be partnering fellow VR46 Academy rider Marco Bezzecchi for MotoGP’s new era of regulations.
The two-time premier class title-winner is understood to have signed a four-year deal with the current championship leaders, with Bagnaia citing his desire for a ‘new challenge’ as the main reason for such a lengthy contract.
Neil Hodgson warns Ducati about Francesco Bagnaia taking ‘secret’ information with him to Aprilia
Speaking via TNT Sports ahead of this weekend’s Dutch Grand Prix, MotoGP pundit Neil Hodgson offered his thoughts on Bagnaia’s move across the pit lane, while also warning Ducati about their outbound rider.
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He began by praising the Italian’s decision to swap Ducati, the brand in which he has spent the entirety of his MotoGP career racing atop, for Aprilia, citing how he was risking a “very miserable” two years if he opted to remain in Borgo Panigale.
“If you’re Pecco, you’ve already won two world championships with Ducati, but you’re currently struggling to beat your teammate, who is signed up for another two years,” he said.
If you stay, you risk a very miserable two years. Moving to a factory team like Aprilia gives him a fresh start and a technical package that might give him the precise edge he needs to fight Marc.”
Not only will he be rewarded with a clean slate at Aprilia, but he can also use his eight years’ worth of experience with Ducati to give the Noale-based engineers an exclusive look at their success in recent years.
“Plus, Pecco is a highly sensitive, technical rider; he will bring a treasure trove of Ducati data, philosophy, and secrets straight over to Aprilia, which is a massive win for them,” Hodgson added.
- READ MORE: Massimo Rivola claims Francesco Bagnaia was ‘brave’ turning down ‘higher salaries’ to join Aprilia
Bagnaia’s sensitivity on a MotoGP bike has widely been regarded as his downfall at Ducati over the last 12 months. While Marquez has been able to contend on difficult machinery, his Italian teammate has suffered drastically.
Saying that, Massimo Rivola has no qualms with Bagnaia’s form in that same period, highlighting in pre-season how he has always been a “tempting option” for Aprilia, given the success he has claimed in the premier class.
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