When the lights go out in 2027, only two names will remain loyal to Ducati's red colors on the MotoGP grid: Marc Marquez and Fermin Aldeguer. But their statuses differ—Marquez as the factory team's main man, while Aldeguer becomes the long-term project Ducati believes will shine.
Aldeguer's new contract was officially announced on Wednesday, confirming his switch from Gresini to VR46 for next season. More than just a team change, the Spanish rider also gets an upgrade to factory-spec machinery—a strong signal that Ducati is serious about its faith in him.
The decision is intriguing given the exodus of Ducati riders to other manufacturers. Jorge Martin and Marco Bezzecchi now lead the world championship with Aprilia, while Alex Marquez and Fabio di Giannantonio have chosen to move to KTM. With Pecco Bagnaia joining Aprilia to replace Martin, and Enea Bastianini at Trackhouse, three of the four RS-GPs next season will be ridden by former Ducati riders.
Amid the talent drain, Ducati is doubling down on Aldeguer. “Fermin perfectly represents Ducati's vision for the future of racing: believing in young talent and nurturing their growth so they can fully unleash their potential,” said Ducati CEO Claudio Domenicali. This philosophy, he noted, has brought immense satisfaction to the Borgo Panigale manufacturer over the years.
Aldeguer showed flashes of brilliance in his rookie season, taking six podiums including a win at Mandalika last year. However, a fractured femur during winter training, followed by a back injury at Assen, derailed his 2026 campaign. Despite that, his pre-injury form—including a podium at Catalunya—was enough to convince Ducati they have a raw gem.
“Since his arrival in MotoGP, Fermin has shown extraordinary talent, a great ability to learn, and a determination that impressed us immediately,” praised Ducati Corse General Manager Gigi Dall'Igna. “He is still a very young rider, but his potential is huge. We are convinced he has ample room for growth.”
VR46 was chosen as the ideal environment to continue his development. Valentino Rossi's team has proven its ability to maximize young talent and be a truly competitive entity in recent years. “We are certain that here Fermin will have everything he needs to keep growing and achieve major milestones,” Dall'Igna added.
With Aldeguer at VR46, Nicolo Bulega, the WorldSBK championship leader, is expected to complete Ducati's 2027 lineup, while Dani Holgado will be another rookie at Gresini. If Bulega's deal is confirmed, VR46 and Gresini will each have one factory-spec machine—though all bikes will be 2027 models for the new 850cc/Pirelli era, factory-spec machines will receive updates more quickly.
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