Francesco Bagnaia leaves Ducati and joins Aprilia for 2027

Francesco Bagnaia will leave Ducati at the end of the 2026 MotoGP season and begin a new adventure with Aprilia in 2027. The Italian rider has signed a long-term deal with the Noale-based manufacturer, bringing an end to one of the most successful partnerships in recent MotoGP history.

Bagnaia joined Ducati in MotoGP in 2019 and quickly became one of the strongest riders on the grid. During his time with the Italian team, he helped return Ducati to the top of the sport. He won the MotoGP World Championship in both 2022 and 2023 and became one of the most successful riders ever to race for the factory squad.

His move to Aprilia comes after months of speculation about his future. Aprilia has been working hard to strengthen its MotoGP project, and the signing of Bagnaia is seen as a major statement of intent. The team believes his experience, speed and technical knowledge can help push the bike to an even higher level.

At Aprilia, Bagnaia is expected to race alongside fellow Italian rider Marco Bezzecchi. The pairing will create an all-Italian rider line-up and give fans in Italy plenty to be excited about. Aprilia management has described the signing as an important moment for both the company and Italian motorsport.

Although Bagnaia enjoyed many great years with Ducati, recent seasons have been more difficult. The arrival of Marc Marquez changed the balance inside the team, and Bagnaia was no longer the clear number one rider. Ducati has now decided to move in a new direction, with rising Spanish star Pedro Acosta expected to take Bagnaia's place from 2027.

Despite the split, both sides have spoken warmly about their time together. Ducati praised Bagnaia for his professionalism and contribution to the brand's success, while Bagnaia leaves with a legacy that includes championship titles, race victories and countless memorable moments.

The final race of Bagnaia's Ducati career will take place at the Valencia Grand Prix in November 2026. After that, he will begin a fresh challenge with Aprilia, hoping to add more wins and perhaps another world title to his impressive career.

For MotoGP fans, the switch could become one of the biggest rider moves of the decade. If Bagnaia can help Aprilia fight regularly for victories and championships, his decision may prove to be one of the most important transfers in modern motorcycle racing.