Francesco Bagnaia will begin a new chapter in his MotoGP career with Aprilia after signing a four-year contract with the Italian manufacturer, the team announced Thursday, less than 24 hours after Ducati confirmed that the two-time world champion would leave the factory squad at the end of next season.
The agreement will see Bagnaia join Aprilia from the start of the 2027 MotoGP campaign and remain with the team through 2030, forming an all-Italian partnership alongside Marco Bezzecchi as Aprilia looks to strengthen its position among the championship’s leading contenders.
The announcement marks one of the most significant rider moves in recent MotoGP history and signals the end of a highly successful relationship between Bagnaia and Ducati, a partnership that helped restore the Bologna-based manufacturer to the pinnacle of motorcycle racing.
Aprilia Racing CEO Massimo Rivola described the signing as a milestone for the team and a reflection of the strength of Italian sport on the global stage.
“Bagnaia’s arrival is a confirmation of the value of Italian sport, which in recent months has distinguished itself on the world stage thanks to the achievements of Kimi Antonelli in Formula 1, Jannik Sinner in tennis, and Federica Brignone at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026,” Rivola said in a statement.
“Having a multiple world champion is a responsibility we can’t wait to take on.”
The move comes after Ducati revealed that Spanish rising star Pedro Acosta would replace Bagnaia from 2027. Acosta, widely regarded as one of the most talented riders of his generation, signed a two-year deal with Ducati and is expected to partner seven-time world champion Marc Marquez in what could become one of the most formidable rider pairings in the sport.
For Bagnaia, however, the transition represents an opportunity to rebuild his status as a championship contender after a difficult period in which he struggled to match the pace and consistency of Marquez.
Since joining Ducati as a rookie in 2019, Bagnaia has become the most successful rider in the manufacturer’s history. His achievements include Ducati’s first riders’ championship in 15 years when he captured the 2022 world title, followed by a second championship the next season.
Over eight seasons with the factory team, he accumulated 31 victories, 62 podium finishes and 28 pole positions, establishing himself as one of the defining figures of the modern MotoGP era.
His smooth riding style and technical precision became closely associated with Ducati’s rise to dominance, helping transform the team into a benchmark for performance across the championship.
Yet the arrival of Marquez in 2025 altered the competitive balance within the garage.
The Spanish rider quickly emerged as Ducati’s leading force, using his experience and speed to dominate the championship. Marquez secured his seventh premier-class title while Bagnaia struggled to maintain the same level of competitiveness, ultimately finishing fifth in the standings and trailing his teammate by 257 points.
The performance gap fueled speculation about Bagnaia’s future for months, particularly after Ducati committed to extending Marquez’s contract earlier this week.
Despite the growing uncertainty surrounding his position within the team, Bagnaia remained professional throughout the process and continued delivering competitive performances on track.
He arrives at this weekend’s Dutch Grand Prix with renewed confidence after securing his first victory of the season during the Czech Grand Prix sprint race last week. Although he was unable to convert that success into a full Grand Prix win after being overtaken late by Marquez and Ai Ogura, the result demonstrated that he remains capable of fighting at the front.
Bagnaia currently trails championship leader Marco Bezzecchi by 53 points, leaving him with work to do if he hopes to mount a serious title challenge during the remainder of the campaign.
Aprilia, meanwhile, views the acquisition as a major statement of intent.
The manufacturer has shown flashes of competitiveness in recent seasons but has struggled to consistently challenge Ducati across an entire championship. By signing a rider with Bagnaia’s experience and championship pedigree, the team hopes to accelerate its development and strengthen its long-term ambitions.
The pairing with Bezzecchi also offers Aprilia one of the strongest Italian lineups on the grid, combining a proven world champion with a rider who has emerged as one of MotoGP’s most consistent performers.
For Ducati, the decision to move forward with Acosta reflects a commitment to the future.
The 22-year-old Spaniard has been viewed as a future world champion since winning Moto3 and Moto2 titles early in his career. His rapid rise in MotoGP has only reinforced that reputation, making him one of the most sought-after riders in the paddock.
While Ducati believes Acosta and Marquez can form a championship-winning partnership, the departure of Bagnaia closes a defining era for the manufacturer.
His final race in Ducati colors is scheduled for the Valencia Grand Prix in November 2026, where fans will have an opportunity to celebrate one of the most successful rider-team relationships in modern MotoGP history before he begins his next challenge with Aprilia.
