Two-time premier class champion Francesco Bagnaia has agreed a move to Aprilia Racing for the 2027 MotoGP season.
The Italian rider will depart the factory Ducati setup, having ridden for them since 2021, securing 31 victories and back-to-back premier-class titles in 2022 and 2023.
Bagnaia bows out as Ducati’s most successful MotoGP rider, with Pedro Acosta’s confirmed arrival prompting the Italian to join Marco Bezzecchi at Aprilia ahead of the new regulations.
The 29-year-old has reportedly agreed a four-year contract (2+2 option) with the Noale manufacturer.
While the 2027 regulations present a major shake-up to the rulebook, Bagnaia joins an Aprilia team coming off its best-ever season in 2025, with Bezzecchi finishing third in the championship and the manufacturer securing a record number of victories.
The momentum has carried into 2026, with the Italian manufacturer currently leading both the Riders’ and Manufacturers’ Championships.
“[Piaggo CEO] Michele Colaninno and I share the same vision of supporting Italy, which is why we both thought of Marco and Pecco together for the next chapter of Aprilia Racing,” said Aprilia Racing CEO Massimo Rivola.
“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 testing and Federica Brignone at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. This is why welcoming Pecco fills us with pride and gives Italian sport a further boost internationally.
“We will give him and his family a warm welcome, but first we will try to beat him. Having a multiple world champion is a responsibility we can’t wait to take on.”
Bagnaia’s departing message from Borgo Panigale said: “You were my dream and you became my most beautiful reality ever.
“When I got to MotoGP with the Ducati I thought I’d already achieved something unspeakable, but you’ve made me believe it more and more.
“8 years, 31 victories, 63 podiums, 28 pole positions, 2 times World vice-champions and two world titles, this is the story we wrote and it’s only ours.
“We grew up together, we went through every type of situation together never giving up, we always pushed each other to give it our all.
“And you, being one of the best parts of me, you have given me the most exciting moments of my career, you have made me a better driver, a happy guy and we have had so much fun.
“Last season was hard to get along with, we ran into more than we would like and something started to change. I feel the need to start over with a new challenge, but I will never forget what we’ve been.
“You’re a part of me, you’ll always be. I love you.”
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