– Although not yet officially confirmed, Alex Marquez is reportedly set to switch to KTM in 2027. However, the Spaniard does not expect this to affect his current role in development work at Ducati.
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“Manufacturers pay their riders until the end of the year and try to get the maximum out of them and use everything they can deliver. Ducati has not changed anything because of the rumors in the rider market. They continue to work with the four factory riders they have under contract,” the vice world champion clarifies.
Looking ahead to his future move to KTM, the Spaniard emphasizes that it is still far away and his focus is fully on the current task.
Alex Marquez before the switch to KTM
Behind the scenes, several rider changes for 2027 have already been decided. However, these can only be officially confirmed once the new five-year framework agreement between the manufacturers’ association MSMA and the MotoGP Sports Entertainment Group (formerly Dorna) is signed.
After this agreement is concluded, a larger wave of official announcements is expected. This also affects the younger of the Marquez brothers. After four MotoGP seasons, three wins, and a second place in the 2025 season on a Ducati, his move to a KTM factory team is already certain.
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The move comes just one year after he was promoted to a factory rider in development work within Ducati despite his deployment in the Gresini team. His strong 2025 season, in which he was only beaten by his brother Marc, led to a significant upgrade of his role in Borgo Panigale.
Alex Marquez continues to fully commit
In addition to using the latest Desmosedici specification (GP26), the number 73 has become an important building block in the further development of the motorcycle, whose dominance is now increasingly being pressured by Aprilia.
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The manufacturer from Noale won the first three races of the season with Marco Bezzecchi and currently leads the world championship jointly with Jorge Martin in second place. This development forces Ducati to use all available resources to reduce the gap to the direct competitor.
Under other circumstances, both Marquez and Francesco Bagnaia, who is linked to a move to Aprilia next season, might have had less influence on development work.
“Ducati is a bit stuck at the moment”
Currently, however, Ducati cannot afford to take either of the two riders out of technical development. Marquez himself describes the situation clearly.
“At the moment Aprilia is better than Ducati because they are winning. Last year we were ahead and they couldn’t beat us, but this season Ducati is a bit stuck. Hopefully, during the year we will reach a point where we take a step forward,” the Gresini rider looks ahead.
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In the current world championship standings, Marquez is in eighth place. His best result so far this season is sixth place in Brazil. This is a clear contrast to the previous MotoGP season, when after three second places in a row he was already leading the world championship after the third race weekend.
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