Marco Bezzecchi
Marc Marquez and Pedro Acosta are being tipped to have an almighty battle as Ducati teammates. The 2027 regulations make everything unpredictable, but the Ant of Cervera already has an advantage.
It had been unclear whether Marquez would commit to 2027 and beyond due to the injuries he suffered at the end of 2025. He was still struggling with the effects at the start of 2026, as a loose screw in his right arm was causing nerve damage.
After having surgery following his highside at Le Mans, the Ducati rider is slowly getting back to fitness and is committed to the future. While there were rumours of a return to Honda, Marquez will stay with Ducati until 2028, and he is already in a strong position for 2027.
How would you rate Marc Marquez’s 2026 season so far?
Marc Marquez already has a data point with his 2027 850cc bike, unlike Ducati teammate Pedro Acosta
Acosta will join Marquez at Ducati from KTM on a two-year deal. The Shark has longed for a competitive bike, and he wants to take the fight to the best rider on the grid in equal machinery.
The KTM rider has proved that he is not afraid of battling Marquez on track, and with the same machine behind him, he could be a serious threat. However, Acosta is already behind his 2027 teammate in his preparations.
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MotoGP held the first 2027 test for full-time riders after the Czech Grand Prix. It was the first time many got to ride the 850cc bikes with Pirelli tyres, as testing was previously limited to test riders.
The problem was that not every full-time rider got to test 2027 machinery because several contracts had been signed for next season but had not been officially announced yet.
Marquez, Marco Bezzecchi, Fermin Aldeguer and Toprak Razgatlioglu were among a few full-time riders who got to test the bikes, because their deals have already been agreed.
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It was known that Acosta would be joining Ducati, but without confirmation, he was not allowed to ride their bike or KTM’s, as he is leaving in 2027. This gives Marquez a head start, as he will have a reference point on Ducati’s 850cc before his teammate.
He will know what to expect from the slower engine, Pirelli tyres and how to ride the bike without ride-height devices. Marquez is not convinced by the regulations or that they will improve racing, but at least he has the edge over Acosta in terms of experience and data.
Marquez was three seconds slower than his qualifying pace at Brno this year on his 2027 bike. The new regulations will produce lower top speeds, but they will produce unpredictable racing, as no one truly knows where anyone is at this stage.
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