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VR46 and Ducati Strengthens Partnership in New Era: 2027 Technical Structure Revealed
Valentino Rossi Racing Team (VR46) has agreed to extend its partnership with Ducati for another three years for the new technical era starting in the 2027 MotoGP season. Under this agreement, it is officially confirmed that VR46 will maintain its status as a Factory Supported Team for Ducati. However, this new structure involves a significant change in motorcycle distribution: although two new generation Ducati models will compete in the 2027 season, only one will have factory specifications and technical updates.
Ducati's New Technical Structure and Team Status
The 2027 MotoGP season will enter a completely new technical era with 850cc engines and Pirelli tires. Despite these changes, the motorcycle distribution system within Ducati’s satellite teams will continue. VR46 announced that the team's structure for 2027 has been clarified: Two Ducati Desmosedici GP motorcycles will be in the team garage. One of these will have factory specifications and technical updates throughout the season; the other will serve as a non-factory model with standard specifications. With this arrangement, VR46 will continue its role as Ducati’s Factory Supported Team, but it became clear that neither of the two riders will have the same technical status.
VR46 maintains the status of the Factory Supported Team that it took over from Ducati in 2025 when Pramac Racing left. In the current setup, Fabio Di Giannantonio uses a factory-specified Ducati, while Franco Morbidelli competes with an older technical package. Meanwhile, the Gresini team will continue to use a factory-supported Ducati in 2027, reinforcing the great success Alex Marquez achieved with the GP24 in the 2025 season, and this motorcycle will be transferred to new rider Joan Mir.
Critical Changes in the Rider Lineup
The 2027 season rider lineup for VR46 has not been officially announced, but expectations point to significant changes. Fermin Aldeguer and Nicolo Bulega are expected to compete for the team. According to current predictions, Fermin Aldeguer, who has a direct contract with Ducati, is expected to use a factory-specified motorcycle. Although Aldeguer currently competes with Gresini Racing, this expectation suggests that the Spanish rider will move to VR46 in the 2027 season. Additionally, Nicolo Bulega, who has attracted attention for his performance in WorldSBK, will use the standard specification model. This indicates that while Aldeguer will compete on a factory-supported 850cc Ducati in the new era, Bulega may begin his career on a standard specification motorcycle. No official announcement has been made regarding which rider will use which technical package.
Transition to KTM: A Major Shift in the Ducati Arena
One of the most striking aspects of the restructuring in the Ducati arena involves Fabio Di Giannantonio and Alex Marquez. Both riders are expected to join the KTM factory team in the 2027 season. This situation signifies a major change in Ducati's rider strategy for 2027. Di Giannantonio is currently third in the World Championship after winning the Catalunya Grand Prix and is considered the best Ducati rider in the standings. Alex Marquez secured his first Grand Prix victory for Ducati in the 2026 season at Jerez. The transition of these two names to KTM signals a major shift in Ducati's future rider strategy.
The partnership between VR46 and Ducati will continue until at least the end of the 2029 season. Team Director Alessio Salucci expressed his satisfaction with the extension, stating, "We are proud to announce that we have renewed our agreement as Ducati’s Factory Supported Team for MotoGP for the next three years."
Ducati Corse General Manager Gigi Dall’Igna emphasized the great satisfaction with the continuation of the partnership: "We are delighted to continue this journey until at least 2029 and even more delighted to strengthen this partnership that gives us great satisfaction from the beginning." Dall’Igna also thanked Valentino Rossi, Alessio Salucci, Pablo Nieto, and the entire VR46 team for their professionalism and work. As Ducati's satellite structure is clarified in the new technical era, and as a factory-supported motorcycle is expected to be transferred to Joan Mir at Gresini, it is anticipated that Fermin Aldeguer will receive the same status in VR46.
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