Alex Marquez confirmed he will join KTM as a factory rider for the 2027 MotoGP season, pairing with Fabio Di Giannantonio. The Spaniard, who finished second in the 2025 championship, said the move marks his second stint with a works team after debuting for Repsol Honda in 2020.
Although Ducati will provide factory support for his 2026 campaign, Marquez has not secured a full works contract. He explained that the desire for direct factory backing drove his decision, and that he felt a satellite arrangement could not match the resources of a factory squad. During negotiations he promised Gresini’s Nadia Padovani that he would inform her immediately if a factory offer materialised, a pledge he kept by notifying her as soon as talks with KTM began.
Marquez added that Ducati appears focused on signing Pedro Acosta, making a future Ducati seat unlikely. He praised KTM’s enthusiasm and the clear development path they offered, describing the switch as a “great opportunity” and a decisive step forward in his MotoGP career.
