Pol Espargaro: Ducati Will Be 'Crazy' Fast in 2027 MotoGP Era

When the lights went out in the Ducati garage at Mugello last weekend, one thing immediately caught the eye: their new 850cc machine looked seriously quick. Nicolo Bulega even lapped within two seconds of the 2026 pole position. But that’s just the beginning. According to Pol Espargaro, who took part in the test as a KTM test rider, Ducati will be the force to beat in the new MotoGP era.

“Some manufacturers will start faster than others, but when everyone is at a similar level, maybe by the second year, the competition will be fierce,” Espargaro said. “It’s easy to think Ducati will be crazy. They’ll be fast from day one because they have all the information from Superbike, and at the end of the day, the 850cc is a kind of Superbike, not far off.”

Indeed, the 2027 regulation changes are not just about downsizing from 1000cc to 850cc. There are also sustainable fuels, trimmed aerodynamics, and the removal of ride-height devices. Equally important, Pirelli will replace Michelin as the sole tire supplier. Ducati clearly benefits from its existing partnership with Pirelli in WorldSBK, as do Honda and Yamaha. But experience alone doesn’t guarantee success, especially since every manufacturer must adapt to the new tire characteristics.

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Espargaro added, “Ducati will have a certain advantage, especially in tire management, both in race pace and time attack. They have a lot of information that other manufacturers, which don’t compete in Superbike, don’t have.” This is not just empty praise. Over the past few seasons, Ducati has shown remarkable superiority in both MotoGP and WorldSBK. They have deep knowledge of how to maximize Pirelli tire performance in various conditions.

But does this mean the new era will belong to Ducati? Not necessarily. MotoGP history is full of surprises. New regulations often level the playing field. KTM, Aprilia, and Yamaha are certainly working hard to catch up. Moreover, with reduced aerodynamics, the riding style that relied heavily on downforce will change completely. This could be an opportunity for manufacturers that have been less competitive in that area.

What is clear is that the Mugello test gave a strong early signal. Ducati looked convincing, and Espargaro’s comments add to the belief that they will be the benchmark in 2027. But as the saying goes, the race hasn’t started yet. Let’s see how the rivals respond to the challenge.