Marco Bezzecchi
Francesco Bagnaia has revealed when he knew it was the ‘right time’ for him to leave Ducati, following confirmation that he will be joining the factory Aprilia MotoGP team on a four-year deal in 2027.
The split between Francesco Bagnaia and Ducati marks a break-up between the most successful rider/team pairing in recent MotoGP history. The Italian rider put a stop to the Bologna Bullets’ title drought in 2022, before following it up with another in 2023.
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However, Bagnaia’s last 12 months have suggested that an exit was inevitable. His poor form alongside a world-beating Marc Marquez last year opened him up to scrutiny, with team legend Casey Stoner among the first to voice concerns about Bagnaia’s future at Ducati.
Interestingly, it was just over a month after Stoner’s words that Bagnaia knew he needed out of Borgo Panigale, as revealed in his comments to the media ahead of this weekend’s Dutch Grand Prix.
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Francesco Bagnaia knew it was ‘time to consider’ an exit at Motegi last year
Of course, the topic of Ducati’s rider movements for the 2027 MotoGP season was a hot topic in Assen, with it being the first group of announcements following confirmation that the grid had come to an agreement over a new commercial deal.
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During his words to the press, Bagnaia revealed that “something started to change” after the conclusion of his most successful race weekend last year: the Japanese Grand Prix.
After months of difficulties, the Italian secured his only perfect weekend of the season, with Bagnaia claiming pole position, Sprint win and Grand Prix victory at the same round that Marquez clinched his seventh world title in the premier class.
“Last year wasn’t an easy season, and something started to change after Japan,” he started, via Mundo Deportivo. “At that point, perhaps it was time to consider other options.
“I opened my mind, received support from Aprilia, and it was the right time to make a change. I had several options open, but I believe in a long-term contract.”
The 29-year-old was believed to have gone back to an older iteration of his prototype to claim the 37 points in a decision that was understood to have ‘hurt’ Ducati chief Luigi Dall’Igna.
Francesco Bagnaia already knows working with Marco Bezzecchi at Aprilia will give them an ‘advantage’
Looking ahead, Bagnaia is relishing the opportunity to work with a close friend and fellow VR46 Academy rider, Marco Bezzecchi.
The Aprilia ace currently leads the world championship standings, and Bagnaia already knows that the Noale-based factory will be at an “advantage” with them both racing towards the same goal.
On the topic, Bagnaia said, “When you have that kind of relationship, and you start working together, sometimes it’s positive and sometimes negative, but I’ve never had any problems with my colleagues; respect above all else, and the atmosphere has to be pleasant.
“I know we’ll work well together and our relationship will give us an advantage.”
What’s more, MotoGP pundit Neil Hodgson highlighted how Bagnaia will have a ‘treasure trove’ of information from Ducati regarding their success in recent years that he will be able to take with him to Aprilia.
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