After being destroyed by Marquez, Bagnaia considering options

In the high-stakes world of MotoGP, where rivalries burn as hot as the engines, a bombshell rumor is circulating through the paddock: Francesco “Pecco” Bagnaia (pictured), the once-dominant Ducati star, is seriously weighing his future options after a brutal 2025 season where he was thoroughly schooled by teammate Marc Marquez.

–by Mark Cipolloni–

Marquez’s arrival at the factory Ducati team turned the tide dramatically, with the Spaniard clinching his seventh world title despite missing the final five races, while Bagnaia slumped to a disappointing fifth place—his worst finish since 2020.

Marquez’s Dominance: A Teammate Turned Tormentor

The 2025 campaign was nothing short of a nightmare for Bagnaia. Marquez, adapting seamlessly to the Desmosedici GP25—a bike that proved tricky for most riders—racked up 11 Grand Prix wins out of 18 starts, leaving his Italian teammate in the dust. Bagnaia, who had secured back-to-back titles in 2022 and 2023, struggled for consistency, amassing fewer than half the points of Marquez. Insiders whisper that the psychological toll of being “destroyed” by the eight-time world champion has pushed Bagnaia to the brink, with tensions simmering behind the scenes at Borgo Panigale.

2025 MotoGP World Champion Marc Marquez hugs his trophy. Japanese Grand Prix at the Twin Ring Motegi circuit on Sunday, September 28, 2025. Image supplied by Michelin

Former racer Marco Melandri didn’t mince words in a recent interview, stating that Ducati’s infatuation with Marquez has left Bagnaia in “turmoil.” “I see Bagnaia out of Ducati… the relationship has deteriorated. Ducati is in love with Marquez,” Melandri told laSexta Deportes. This sentiment echoes Ducati Corse General Manager Gigi Dall’Igna’s comments, where he prioritized re-signing Marquez for 2027 before addressing the second rider spot: “Right now our focus is on signing Marc Marquez. Once Marc is signed, we’ll think about the second rider.”

Bagnaia’s Cryptic Comments Fuel the Fire

Bagnaia himself has added fuel to the speculation during the recent Sepang tests for the 2026 season. Addressing rumors of his potential exit, he said, “We are more or less in the same boat. On the table in front of me, I have great opportunities, and I will decide very soon.” While he expressed optimism about the new GP26 bike, which he described as a “big improvement” over the GP25 that only Marquez could truly master, his words hint at an openness to exploring life beyond Ducati.

The Italian has also pushed back against suggestions that rivals should “go home” until 2027, directly responding to Aprilia CEO Massimo Rivola’s pessimistic outlook on challenging Ducati’s dominance. This exchange has only intensified whispers of a possible move to Aprilia, especially as the Noale-based team looks for a high-profile rider to replace Jorge Martin, who is rumored to head to Yamaha.

Potential Landing Spots: Aprilia Leads the Pack

If Bagnaia does depart Ducati, Aprilia emerges as the frontrunner. Italian media outlets like Grand Slam Racing report that Bagnaia has “accepted separation from Ducati,” with ongoing talks between him and Aprilia. Paddock GP went further, claiming Ducati is “turning the page” on Bagnaia, while Aprilia is offering a deal—but at a “discount” compared to his current salary. Other predictions from fans and analysts, such as those on X, see Bagnaia slotting into Aprilia’s factory seat, potentially alongside Maverick Viñales or another top talent.

Honda and Yamaha have also been mentioned as dark horses. Rumors suggest Bagnaia could join Honda if Luca Marini or Joan Mir exits, or even Yamaha if Fabio Quartararo jumps ship to HRC. However, these seem less likely given the Japanese manufacturers’ ongoing struggles against Ducati’s might. Motorcycle Sports paints a grim picture, noting Bagnaia faces a “crisis” with Ducati moving on and Aprilia offerings underwhelming.

Ducati’s Succession Plan: Acosta or Aldeguer?

Ducati’s apparent eagerness to move on stems from the looming 2027 regulations shake-up, including 850cc engines. Young guns like KTM’s Pedro Acosta or Fermin Aldeguer are hotly tipped to partner Marquez in the factory team. Marquez himself has made his intentions clear: “My first option is to try and stay with Ducati.” With contract talks accelerating—some sources claim a two-year extension is imminent—the pressure is on Bagnaia to prove his worth in 2026 or face the exit door.

What’s Next for the 2026 Season?

As the Sepang tests wrap up, Ducati remains the benchmark, with Alex Marquez topping the timesheets in race simulations ahead of Bagnaia and Marc. Bagnaia insists he’s undergone a “complete reset” over the winter and is ready to challenge Marquez anew. But with the silly season for 2027 already in full swing, every lap could be an audition—for Ducati or elsewhere.

This rumor underscores the cutthroat nature of MotoGP: even champions aren’t safe when a legend like Marquez rolls in. Will Bagnaia bounce back, or is a blockbuster switch on the horizon? The paddock is watching closely.