Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1545744
WIND IN THE P34 Both riders arrive after im- pressive spells aboard Ducati machinery, bringing race-winning experience to KTM as the manu- facturer looks to re-establish itself as a consistent champion- ship contender under MotoGP's new 850cc technical regulations. The move thus sees longtime Red Bull KTM rider Brad Binder now looking for a job, while Pedro Acosta was already con - firmed at Ducati to partner Marc Marquez in place of the Aprilia- bound Pecco Bagnaia, who will team with Marco Bezzecchi. Gresini Ducati has also final - ized its 2027 lineup, signing Joan Mir alongside MotoGP rookie Dani Holgado. Mir, the 2020 MotoGP World Champion with Suzuki, joins the indepen - dent Ducati squad following his stint with Honda, while Holgado steps up after making a strong impression during his two Moto2 campaigns. The remaining major ques - tion surrounds Fabio Quartararo, although his announcement as a replacement for Mir in the factory Honda HRC Castrol team is just a matter of time. Yamaha has already stated Trackhouse Aprilia's Ai Ogura and Aprilia Racing's Jorge Martin will team up in blue for next season. Quartararo's teammate remains unknown, as Holgado's current Moto2 teammate, David Alonso, has already signed a long-term HRC contract. He will either be placed with the factory team or the LCR Honda team, with Diogo Moreira promoted to factory status alongside Quar - tararo. Much depends on LCR's incumbent Johann Zarco, who suffered major leg injuries in a first-turn crash in Catalunya and has yet to return to action. Should he not return, an extra Honda will need a rider at LCR. Neither Honda nor Quartararo has publicly commented on the reports, but multiple sources indicate that an agreement has been reached, with an announce- ment expected later this season. Tech3 KTM has yet to final- ize its rider lineup and has potentially four riders to choose from, including departing HRC rider Luca Marini, current team- ster Maverick Vinales, and two Moto2 rookies, current team- mates Manuel Gonzalez and Senna Agius. VR46 Ducati will field current Gresini Ducati rider Fermin Al- deguer in place of Di Giannanto- nio, but the second seat current- ly occupied by Franco Morbidelli is rumored to be going to Nicolo Bulega. Pramac Yamaha has Toprak Razgatlioglu on a multi-year deal and with Jack Miller not being retained for 2027, it seems the path is now clear for the team's Moto2 rider, Izan Guevara, to step up to the big time. As for Trackhouse Aprilia, its rumored 2027 lineup consists of Enea Bastianini and current rider Raul Fernandez. At this stage, there doesn't appear to be any room on the 2027 grid for Mo - toGP veteran race winners Jack Miller, Franco Morbidelli, Alex Rins, Brad Binder and possibly Maverick Vinales. CN Fabio Quartararo is confirmed out at Yamaha at the end of 2026 and is expected to be with Honda next year.