Alex Márquez officially joins KTM in place of Pedro Acosta from 2027

The announcement has been made: Alex Márquez will be a KTM rider next season. The Spaniard, the reigning world championship runner-up, joins the Austrian manufacturer where he will replace Pedro Acosta, who is leaving for Ducati.

The transfer market is heating up in MotoGP And this week is no exception. On Monday morning, July 6th, VR46 announced the upcoming departure of Fabio Di Giannantonio, widely expected to join KTM. A few minutes later, the Austrian manufacturer responded by issuing a statement announcing the arrival of Alex Márquez from 2027 onwards under a multi-year contract.

Currently riding for Gresini, Marc Márquez's younger brother will bring all his experience, having competed in the World Championship for 13 seasons and secured four Grand Prix victories in the premier class. Number 72 will be tasked with embodying the resurgence of a manufacturer that has struggled in terms of performance in recent months. "Alex, it's really hard to let you go," Nadia Padovani, widow of Fausto Gresini and owner of the Gresini team, was deeply moved. We shared emotions, growth, and moments that I will forever cherish in my heart. I am proud of the man and the driver you are. But before we say goodbye, there is still one more chapter to write together. Let's write it with the determination that has always defined us.

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MotoGP

• 03/07/2026
• 14:22

VR46 extends his contract with Ducati until 2029 

Only Pedro Acosta has managed to shine on the RC16, but with Alex Márquez's experience, Pit Beirer's team hopes to be able to challenge the top spots more often and regain victory: “We are extremely proud and happy to have secured an exceptional talent like Alex Márquez — runner-up in the 2025 world championship — for our project, Beirer, director of KTM's Motorsports program. Alex brings not only remarkable talent and racing intelligence, but also a determination and winning mentality that perfectly match our DNA. Together, we share a clear objective: to take the KTM RC16 to the next level and fight at the front in MotoGP.

Alex Márquez is expected to be joined soon by Fabio Di Giannantonio, whose departure from VR46 has already been officially announced. The Italian would thus take the place of Brad Binder, who has been disappointing for the past year and a half and is set to revive his career at Tech3, the satellite team now owned by Gunther Steiner.