Gresini Finds Alex Marquez KTM Exit Hard to Take

Gresini has delivered an emotional farewell to Alex Marquez after the Spaniard was officially confirmed as joining the factory KTM team for MotoGP 2027.

Marquez’s departure is a major loss for Gresini because he has become the team’s most successful rider since its Honda glory years with Sete Gibernau and Marco Melandri. Four MotoGP victories and a world championship runner-up finish made his contribution central to the team’s modern era.

Marquez will return to factory rider status with KTM in MotoGP’s new 850cc era from 2027. In the same season, Gresini will run a new line-up with Joan Mir and Dani Holgado.

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Team owner Nadia Padovani addressed Marquez directly in a team statement, stressing that their story is not yet fully finished because one final chapter remains before the split.

“Alex, it’s truly hard to let you go,” Padovani said.

“We’ve shared emotions, growth, and moments that I will carry in my heart forever.”

“I’m proud of the man and the rider you are.”

“But before we say goodbye, there’s still one more chapter to write together. Let’s do it with the determination that has always set us apart.”

Marquez joined Gresini Ducati in 2023 after two difficult seasons with LCR Honda. The move immediately revived his MotoGP career, with a podium arriving in only his second grand prix for the team before a maiden Sprint victory followed later that season.

His performance stepped up further in 2025 on the GP24, when he took seven consecutive runner-up finishes at the start of the campaign and briefly led the world championship. He ended the season with three MotoGP victories and formed part of a Marquez family one-two in the world championship.

Although contracted directly to Gresini rather than Ducati, Marquez was rewarded with a factory-spec machine for 2026. After a difficult opening phase, he regained momentum with victory at Jerez and in the Catalunya Sprint before a major Catalunya accident left him with collarbone and vertebra injuries.

Marquez finished fifth on his grand prix return at Assen and is ninth in the world championship heading into Sachsenring. Gresini’s farewell underlines that the KTM move is not only a major transfer for MotoGP 2027, but also the closing phase of a spell that rebuilt Marquez’s premier-class career.