Alex Marquez explains why he is joining KTM in 2027

Alex Marquez will leave Gresini Racing at the end of the 2026 MotoGP season to join KTM's factory team in 2027. The move comes at the start of a new era in MotoGP, when the championship will introduce 850cc bikes, new technical rules and new tyres.

Marquez said becoming a factory rider again was his main goal after finishing second in the MotoGP championship last season. He believes that racing for a factory team will give him the best chance to fight for race wins and the world title because factory riders receive the latest bike upgrades as soon as they are available.

KTM contacted Marquez directly and made it clear that they wanted him to be an important part of their future. The Spanish rider said this made him feel valued and convinced him that the project was the right one. He also knows several people working at KTM from earlier in his career, which made the decision easier.

Marquez will race alongside Fabio di Giannantonio in an all-new KTM factory line-up. Both riders previously raced Ducati machinery before making the move to the Austrian manufacturer.

This will be only the second time Marquez has ridden for a factory team in MotoGP. His first chance came in 2020 when he joined the Honda factory team as a rookie after Jorge Lorenzo retired. It was a difficult season because his brother, Marc Marquez, suffered a serious injury in the opening race, leaving Alex under extra pressure. Despite the challenges, he achieved two podium finishes and gained valuable experience.

Since then, Marquez has grown into one of MotoGP's strongest riders. After difficult years with Honda, he rebuilt his career at Gresini Racing, where he found a competitive bike and a supportive team. He won a sprint race in his first season with Gresini and later became one of Ducati's leading riders. His strong performances earned him a factory-spec Ducati machine, helping him become a regular front-runner.

Now 30 years old, Marquez believes he has the experience needed to help lead a factory project. He said the new MotoGP regulations in 2027 will make rider feedback even more important, as manufacturers will need clear information to develop their new bikes. However, he added that his main job is still to be fast on the track, fight for podiums and win races.

Although factory riders usually earn higher salaries than riders in satellite teams, Marquez said money was not the main reason for his decision. Instead, he was attracted by KTM's long-term plans, the people working on the project and the chance to fulfil his dream of racing for a factory team again.

Leaving Gresini will be one of the hardest parts of the move. Marquez said he spoke openly with team owner Nadia Padovani throughout the process because he wanted to be honest about his future. He had promised her that if a factory team offered him a contract, she would be the first to know.

While Padovani was naturally disappointed to lose one of her star riders, Marquez said she also understood his decision and believed he deserved the opportunity. Their positive relationship reflects the important role Gresini played in helping him rebuild his MotoGP career.

The move to KTM represents one of the biggest changes ahead of the 2027 season. With new technical rules creating a fresh start for every manufacturer, Marquez hopes the switch will give him the opportunity to fight for more victories and challenge for his first MotoGP world championship.