Acosta to Leave KTM for Ducati, Join Marquez as Teammate in 2027
NXTbets Pro | Published On: September 26, 2026
Acosta’s Ducati move
Pedro Acosta is set to leave KTM when his contract expires and join the factory Ducati team on a two-year deal, a move that would put him alongside Marc Marquez in the new 850cc, Pirelli era. Acosta said the decision was not about money. He framed it as a sporting choice, built around the chance to race Marquez on equal equipment and try to beat him. Acosta’s move would give Ducati an all-Spanish factory pairing for the first time in MotoGP history.
KTM’s response
KTM responded to Acosta’s plans. Gottfried Neumeister, the company’s chief executive, said he personally tried to persuade Acosta to stay for the 2027 MotoGP season. Neumeister also said he had no argument with Acosta’s reasoning, even if KTM wanted him to remain part of its project. Neumeister said KTM believes it will be well positioned with Alex Marquez and Fabio di Giannantonio in 2027.
Acosta’s KTM win
Acosta won the Austrian Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring, giving KTM its first grand prix win since 2022. Acosta’s Austrian Grand Prix victory came after KTM removed the RC16’s rev-limit restriction and allowed the bike to run at full capacity. Acosta is currently fourth in the world championship. He might have completed a double-victory weekend if he had not thrown away the Sprint win. Jorge Lorenzo predicted that Acosta could win at three more circuits during the final seven rounds.
