Fabio Di Giannantonio agrees to race KTM’s MotoGP factory team in 2027

Fabio Di Giannantonio has agreed to race for KTM’s factory MotoGP team in 2027, setting up a partnership with Alex Marquez and triggering a reshuffle of rider options across the paddock. The 2027 move, which followed months of speculation around Di Giannantonio’s future while he has competed in MotoGP for VR46 on Ducati machinery, was reported in the run-up to the French Grand Prix and then finalised during the Le Mans weekend.

Di Giannantonio’s agreement ends a Ducati-linked chapter in which he had been contracted while racing under the VR46 banner. It also comes after negotiations that did not reach agreement within his stated timeframe with Ducati. According to details provided for the Le Mans weekend, Di Giannantonio set Friday as a deadline to receive an offer that met his financial demands, but Ducati and VR46 sought more time, and he ultimately accepted KTM’s offer to become a factory rider.

KTM’s move means its factory lineup for 2027 is expected to be settled with both rider spots filled. That also places additional pressure on other riders whose places could be affected as the “silly season” progresses, particularly those currently at risk of losing seats as KTM’s...