Since joining Ducati as a rookie in 2019, the 29-year-old has become the team’s most successful rider ever. | Photo Credit: REUTERS

Francesco Bagnaia has signed a four-year contract with Aprilia, the team said ​on Thursday, a day after Ducati confirmed the ‌departure of the two-time world champion, ​to be replaced by KTM’s Pedro ⁠Acosta from next year.

Bagnaia will join Aprilia from the start of MotoGP’s 2027 season, forming an ‌all-Italian partnership at the Noale-based team alongside Marco Bezzecchi.

“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,” Aprilia Racing CEO Massimo Rivola said.

“Having a multiple world champion is a responsibility ‌we can’t wait to take on.”

Bagnaia will ​make his final appearance for Ducati at the Valencia Grand Prix at ⁠the end of November, bringing an end to a successful eight-year stint with the ‌Italian manufacturer.

Since joining Ducati as a rookie in 2019, the 29-year-old has become the team’s most successful rider ever.

He delivered Ducati’s first riders’ championship in 15 years in 2022 and went on to secure a ‌total of 31 victories, 62 podium finishes and ​28 pole positions.

ALSO READ:MotoGP welcomes ‘defining moment’ as constructors agree on five-year deal

However, in the past 18 months he has struggled to match ⁠the pace of teammate Marc Marquez, who joined ⁠the factory Ducati squad in 2025.

Marquez dominated the most recent season to ‌clinch his seventh world title, while Bagnaia finished fifth, trailing the Spaniard by 257 ​points.

Published on Jun 25, 2026