Confirmed: Pedro Acosta Joins Ducati Factory Team, Francesco Bagnaia Moves to Aprilia for 2027

In one of the biggest shake-ups in recent MotoGP history, the rider line-ups for two of the top teams have been confirmed for 2027. Rising star Pedro Acosta will join the factory Ducati Lenovo Team, while multiple world champion Francesco “Pecco” Bagnaia will leave the Italian squad to join rival manufacturer Aprilia Racing.

These moves are not just simple transfers; they represent a major shift in the sport’s landscape. They come just as MotoGP prepares for a complete technical overhaul, making the 2027 season one of the most anticipated in years.

What are the confirmed moves?

The two key announcements have set the stage for the future. Firstly, Spanish prodigy Pedro Acosta has signed to ride for the Ducati Lenovo Team, the official factory squad, starting in 2027. He will partner fellow Spaniard and multiple world champion Marc Marquez, creating what many are already calling a ‘super team’.

In the move that made Acosta’s switch possible, Ducati’s current star rider, Francesco Bagnaia, has been confirmed at Aprilia Racing. The Italian champion has signed a four-year contract that begins in 2027, signalling a huge commitment from both rider and team. He will partner with fellow Italian rider Marco Bezzecchi.

Why is this such big news?

A rider switching teams is common, but these moves are particularly significant. Bagnaia is the rider who brought Ducati back to the top, winning multiple world championships with them. For a champion to leave a title-winning bike is a rare and bold decision.

On the other side, Pedro Acosta is widely seen as a generational talent, a rider with the potential to dominate the sport for years to come. His promotion to the most successful team on the current grid is a massive vote of confidence from Ducati, who have secured one of the sport’s brightest stars for the future.

Finally, for Aprilia, signing a multiple world champion like Bagnaia is a massive statement of their ambition. It shows they are no longer just fighting for podiums, but are fully committed to winning the world championship.

What is a ‘factory’ team?

In MotoGP, not all teams are equal. The most prestigious seats are with the ‘factory’ teams. These are the official racing departments of the manufacturers themselves—in this case, Ducati and Aprilia. They design, build, and race the bikes.

Factory teams get the very latest technology, the biggest budgets, and the best engineers. A place in a factory team is what every rider dreams of, as it usually provides the best chance of winning a championship.

Other teams on the grid, often called ‘satellite’ or ‘independent’ teams, lease machinery from the factories. While they can be very competitive, the factory squad always remains the top priority for the manufacturer.

Why is the year 2027 so important?

These rider moves are strategically timed to coincide with a huge change in the sport’s rules. From 2027, MotoGP bikes will be quite different. The engine size will be reduced from 1000cc to 850cc, which will slightly lower the top speeds but aims to make the racing safer and more efficient.

Crucially, the complex aerodynamics—the wings and fins you see on the bikes that help push the tyres into the track for more grip—will be severely restricted. This technical ‘reset’ means all the manufacturers will be starting from a similar point, and no one knows for sure which bike will be the best.

By moving now, riders like Bagnaia are betting on which factory they believe will adapt best to these new regulations. It’s a calculated gamble that could define the next era of MotoGP.

What does this mean for the championship?

These transfers set up some thrilling prospects. Ducati will have a formidable pairing of two of the most aggressive and talented riders in the world in Marquez and Acosta. Their battle within the same team will be a major story to follow.

Meanwhile, Aprilia gains a rider in Bagnaia who has recent, first-hand experience of what it takes to win a championship. His calm and analytical approach could be the final piece of the puzzle they need to develop their new 850cc bike into a title-winning machine.

This reshuffle guarantees that the MotoGP grid will look very different in 2027, with new rivalries and new challenges for the riders and teams at the front.

Quick Takeaways

• Rising star Pedro Acosta will join the official factory Ducati team from the 2027 season.
• Two-time world champion Francesco Bagnaia will make a high-profile switch to rival factory Aprilia Racing on a four-year deal.
• These moves are timed to coincide with major new technical rules for the bikes being introduced in 2027.
• The transfers create a ‘super team’ at Ducati and signal Aprilia’s serious ambition to win the world championship.