Bagnaia and Ducati set for end‑of‑season split

Ducati have officially confirmed that Francesco Bagnaia will leave the factory team at the end of the 2026 MotoGP season, closing an eight‑year partnership that delivered historic success. The announcement arrived just one day after Marc Márquez signed a contract extension through 2028, reinforcing the team’s future direction. Bagnaia, a three‑time world champion and the most successful rider in Ducati’s history, will not continue aboard the Desmosedici beyond this year. Although not yet announced, his next destination is widely expected to be Aprilia.

In their statement, Ducati highlighted a shared journey built on trust, growth and relentless work, recalling the return of the riders’ title in 2022 after a fifteen‑year drought and the follow‑up crown in 2023. Bagnaia’s record includes thirty‑one wins, sixty‑two podiums and twenty‑eight poles, achievements that cemented his status within the team. Both sides now aim to finish the season strongly before closing a defining chapter in MotoGP.