MotoGP rider market

johanesbp215d ago

Yes and I can also see the logic why Aprilia hired him for 4 years. They are developing a new bike, and it's a long term project. Imagine what happened if after 2 years, they changed the riders and the new riders brought the bike to another direction? so much progress would be lost and they'd go nowhere.

andymedin55219d ago

Can't see Aprilia already stacked paying Pecco at his more downside age now a 4yr contract at how much per season again? Yamaha might but Aprilia can't.

clutchbucketmoto220d ago

Yes - Aprilia isnt going to let off the gas - theyve improved base design, aero and just as important administrative and process workflows between team & factory.. unless some crazy economic condition spins them upside down. there’s never been a contract you can’t break if both sides want out.. + 63 has a giant chip on shoulder and wants to stick it to Duc.

johanesbp214d ago

10 out of 10, if you see it from development perspective of 850cc bike. Bez contributes majority of today's aprilia development, Pecco contributes majority of GP24, arguably the most perfect ducati bike all around. I can see aprilia's strategy of building the bike first, then win later, rather than immediately world champion in 1st season.

luke.newman226d ago

On paper it is a solid 8/10, but we have seen how 'dream teams' haven't really worked in the past

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kyle.archer226d ago

An all-Italian Aprilia line-up of Pecco Bagnaia and Marco Bezzecchi would be a solid 8/10, making it certainly one of the strongest pairings on the 2027 MotoGP grid.

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mikeb.2501196074d ago

In 2027, Brad will be on the sidelines, he will not ride for anyone in any format

donaldcareyjoyce107d ago

What I want to know is why he spends so much time in the pits during qualifying and practice when all the other riders are putting in multiple laps

mikeb.25011960107d ago

He won't be on the grid next year, back to Potch

david.comerford235d ago

He put Acosta at Ducati and then realised he was about to get in trouble

gqmolyneux136d ago

It's a gamble with any machine for 27

johanesbp167d ago

Aprilia, obviously. If Aprilia is full, then try Honda.

ahambly23239d ago

A window maybe isn't the best way to go, but implementing a football-style rule where riders can't sign an agreement until they have less than six months remaining on their contract could be a good alternative.

kyle.archer239d ago

It would not improve MotoGP by having a defined transfer window, as riders and their agents would still talk to other teams outside of the window(s). All a set transfer window would change is when teams announce their new recruits.

david.comerford239d ago

I don't like all the transfers happening early, it does devalue the season a bit. Unfortunately, you just couldn't enforce this rule though

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djangoreinhardt1965243d ago

Lots of money, but a rubbish bike. Money Talks!

s.scottu5244d ago

No, unfortunately. Alex was the only Ducati rider to give his brother a straight up fight. It 'appears' that when everything (bike) is working perfectly, Alex has speed,...but when the bike isn't (KTM) working perfectly, he suffers in 'carrying' the bike.

ben.evans245d ago

Marc Marquez

ben.evans245d ago

After last season, he should have a factory seat!

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ahambly23246d ago

I think his best bet is sticking with Gresini, but if he's adamant about working in a factory team then Aprilia could be a good landing spot.

david.comerford242d ago

I don't see Joan Mir at Yamaha, I think they're aiming for bigger fish (no disrespect to a world champion)

kyle.archer247d ago

Alex Marquez joining Aprilia would be a bit of a surprise, as Marco Bezzecchi seems set to stay in Noale and Francesco Bagnaia would surely be a bigger draw (if they can afford him)

kyle.archer248d ago

It is a shame for Bagnaia that Ducat have not given him more time to bounce back from 2025 before making a decision on who will partner Marquez in 2027. But Ducati have been ruthless with their riders in the past and will continue to be in the future, and Acosta has shown that he can be the future of MotoGP

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ahambly23248d ago

It's a hasty one, but I think he will repay them in championships in the future.

david.comerford248d ago

I am surprised they didn't give Bagnaia a few races to improve on the GP26. Maybe Acosta threatened to sign elsewhere

djangoreinhardt1965243d ago

Boring, boring crappy racing that the poor commentators try to bring alive! It's just big business, see Cadillac now wanting to race, what a disgusting turn of events. Cadillac, famous for ostentatious luxury cars now racing in F1. It's a disgrace!

matthewmatthewruscoe248d ago

Can't wait for new season great reviews guys 😄😄 xx

andymedin55248d ago

Yes. He or Acosta; maybe even both.

hansmartin1962249d ago

i think this is a good decision, alez fabio 👍

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samueletriolone199d ago

Honestly keep Diggia, I think he'll have a better season, second seat tho, I'd like them to pick out someone from Moto2, if cele or Lunetta have Great seasons they could obviously work but most frontrunners from Moto2 could work (maybe not Izan since he's got the Pramac Ties)

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shay.rogers252d ago

Acosta, if he can, and Quartararo

ahambly23270d ago

I think Binder showed that he was still capable of good results when he was given the right bike in 2025. I also think that Morbidelli and Rins are slowly starting to show that they don't belong in MotoGP anymore...

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shay.rogers271d ago

Binder out of loyalty and transparency. We know his issues are with the tyres. The rest? Rins is not the same rider after being injured, Miller can't seem to string consistency together and Morbidelli is the same tale

david.comerford271d ago

Miller, he performed the best relative to the other riders on the same bikes

shay.rogers291d ago

Vinales joins KTM

kyle.archer291d ago

Marc Marquez and Francesco Bagnaia both leave Ducati

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david.comerford291d ago

Pecco Bagnaia joins VR46

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david.comerford291d ago

Jorge Lorenzo to Honda - he reckons he could have won another title if he'd stayed at Ducati, albeit in difficult circumstances

shay.rogers291d ago

It's hard to argue of a greater downfall than Rossi to Ducati

david.comerford291d ago

This felt very much like a stop-gap before they make a play for someone with a higher ceiling

tyler.rowlinson293d ago

I think he did just about enough to merit a 2026 seat, but next year has to be his last chance. He cannot go without a win on the most dominant bike in MotoGP history and not be under pressure

ahambly23296d ago

Definitely Marc, and I'd take Acosta alongside him

kyle.archer296d ago

It would have to be Marc Marquez and Fabio Quartararo among the current field. Both of them have proven that they can produce results that are beyond what most, if not all, other riders can achieve with the same equipment.

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djangoreinhardt1965291d ago

Morbido, Binder, Bagnaia

kyle.archer296d ago

Francesco Bagnaia, in terms of wanting to stay at Ducati. While Alex Rins and Jack Miller could struggle to find a ride if Yamaha were to release them at the end of 2026.

shay.rogers298d ago

Brad Binder, Alex Rins, and Franco Morbidelli. All have points to prove or risk getting the boot

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juz.hemming301d ago

No wonder Binder is fading. Top rider for 5 seasons and gets paid like a pauper. Time to find a new team Brad

shay.rogers301d ago

Marc needs a pay rise - my god! No wonders he’s seeking a little more

david.comerford303d ago

Bagnaia, Bastianini, Mir and Rins need to start repaying the investment!

shay.rogers305d ago

Honda are going to be a hot destination. I’m not sure he ends up being their first pick. Aprilia still feels very likely

kyle.archer305d ago

Jorge Martin may have won the 2024 MotoGP title, but he will not be one of the first riders who teams clammer to sign for 2027 after the events of 2025. But if the dominos fall kindly, he could still move to Honda in 2027, or stay with Aprilia.

david.comerford304d ago

Acosta and Marquez has to be the DREAM for Liberty

shay.rogers305d ago

Marc at Honda, Fabio at Ducati, Bagnaia at Yamaha. That would be something to watch!

kyle.archer305d ago

If Francesco Bagnaia struggles again during the 2026 MotoGP season, a move to Yamaha for 2027 could be his most likely landing spot. But it would be a shame to see Fabio Quartararo leave Yamaha, as it would show he lost patience in a project he has helped to shape.

gmjdupont295d ago

Gresini team and Alex is like clockwork. With access to the latest bike, he can only improve as he is so consistent

shay.rogers305d ago

He’s in a favourable position, so why should he? Just keep things going…

kyle.archer305d ago

Unless Alex Marquez can find himself back in a factory team, it would make sense for him to extend his stay at Gresini - especially if Ducati were to agree to give him factory bikes beyond 2026.