KTM signs Marquez, Di Giannantonio to factory MotoGP team for 2027

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing will field an all-new rider lineup for MotoGP’s 850cc era, with Alex Marquez and Fabio Di Giannantonio signed to replace Pedro Acosta and Brad Binder on the KTM RC16 in 2027. The details of each rider’s contract have not been revealed, but both are said to have signed multi-year deals.

With a combined ten seasons of MotoGP experience already, 30-year-old Marquez and 27-year-old Di Giannantonio are also proven race winners. Across the first ten rounds of the 2026 season, both have achieved GP wins and multiple podiums. Di Giannantonio also has four Sprint podiums this year, while Marquez is a Sprint winner.

For Marquez, the move to Red Bull KTM Factory Racing will be a reunion of sorts, as he rode a KTM in Moto3 back in 2013. Di Giannantonio has no history with KTM; his Moto3 career was spent on Hondas.

Marquez made his debut MotoGP in 2020, stepping straight into what was then a coveted factory seat with Repsol Honda. Two seasons with LCR Honda followed before the move to Gresini Racing (Ducati) in 2023, with whom the Spaniard achieved his first MotoGP wins in 2025.

“We are extremely proud and happy to have secured an exceptional talent like Alex Marquez — the 2025 World Championship runner-up — for our project,” said Pit Beirer, KTM Motorsports Director. “Alex brings not only outstanding skill and race intelligence but also determination and a winning mindset that perfectly matches our DNA.”

Di Giannantonio joined the premier class in 2022. Two seasons with Gresini Racing (Ducati) were followed by a move to the VR46 Racing Team (Ducati) in 2024. After two up-and-down seasons, the Italian has been much more consistent in 2026, never finishing lower than sixth in nine of the opening ten races.

Speaking on Di Giannantonio, Pit Beirer added: “Fabio has clearly made a step to become one of the consistent front-running guys in MotoGP. We cannot question his speed and commitment to delivering the best performance.

“He is a strong team player and a good guy that we know will fit easily into our Red Bull KTM Factory Racing project.”