Is Pedro Acosta's MotoGP future already decided, or is it all just talk? The racing world is buzzing with speculation, and the latest drama involves Aprilia's CEO, Massimo Rivola, making bold claims about rising star Pedro Acosta joining Ducati in 2027. This statement, made during Aprilia's MotoGP launch event, has certainly stirred the pot, especially since all factory team contracts are up for renewal at the end of this year, setting the stage for one of the most unpredictable rider markets in recent memory.
At the heart of this unfolding narrative is Pedro Acosta, a rider who, despite his undeniable talent, appears poised to depart the KTM factory team at the conclusion of a challenging 2025 season. Rumors have been swirling for some time, linking him strongly to the prestigious factory Ducati team, with some whispers even suggesting a deal has already been inked. These whispers grew louder when Aprilia's CEO, Massimo Rivola, shared his thoughts with Moto.it. He confidently stated, “I definitely think Marc [Marquez] will stay at Ducati. Pedro has already said he wants Ducati at all costs, so that’s practically a match made in heaven.”
But here's where it gets interesting... Ducati's general manager, Gigi Dall’Igna, hasn't taken these pronouncements lightly. When questioned about Rivola's comments during Ducati's own season launch, Dall'Igna offered a rather pointed retort. He remarked, “I saw that Rivola spoke more about Ducati than Aprilia at his presentation.” He then clarified Ducati's primary objective: “Our goal is to sign a contract with Marc, who is the reigning world champion, as we did with Pecco [Bagnaia] in 2024. The goal is to sign with the man who won the championship with us, then finalise the contract with Marc before the start of the season. Everything is not yet in place. We are working on it, but I am confident.” This clearly indicates that while Ducati is focused on securing their current champions, they aren't confirming any premature moves for other riders.
And this is the part most people miss... While Dall'Igna was speaking, Pedro Acosta's manager, Albert Valera, was also present at the Aprilia launch. He acknowledged that while links to Valentino Rossi's VR46 team remain a possibility for Acosta, the ultimate aim is to secure a ride with a factory team. It's worth noting that as of now, only a select few riders, including Johann Zarco, Diogo Moreira, and Toprak Razgatlioglu, have confirmed deals extending into 2027. Meanwhile, Aprilia's Rivola also hinted that his own riders, Marco Bezzecchi and Jorge Martin, are already attracting significant financial offers from rival teams for the 2027 season.
So, what do you think? Is Rivola simply trying to create a bit of a stir, or does he have inside information about Acosta's future? Could Dall'Igna's confident stance on retaining Marquez and Bagnaia be a clever deflection, or is Ducati genuinely prioritizing them? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below – we'd love to hear your take on this unfolding MotoGP drama!
