Ducati’s best MotoGP rider of 2026 is reportedly heading to KTM

It looks as though Ducati could be close to losing one of its top riders to KTM for the 2027 MotoGP season.

11 May 2026

Fabio Di Giannantonio at Le Mans. Credit: Gold and Goose.

Names such as Marc Marquez, Francesco Bagnaia, and even Alex Marquez might be considered Ducati’s most established MotoGP stars, however, the Italian company could be set to lose its top rider so far of 2026 to KTM.

That’s because reports from Sky Italia claim Fabio Di Giannantonio, who is currently third in the world championship behind factory Aprilia riders Marco Bezzecchi and Jorge Martin, could be heading to KTM for the 2027 campaign.

Although Di Giannantonio races for the VR46 team, the Italian is contracted to Ducati and races full factory-spec machinery.

But it now looks as though Di Giannantonio is heading to the factory KTM team, where he could link up with fellow Ducati rider Alex Marquez.

If that takes place, it means KTM would have a completely new factory team for the 2027 MotoGP season, with both riders replacing Pedro Acosta and Brad Binder.

Di Giannantonio at the French MotoGP. Credit: Gold and Goose.

Speaking about the prospect of keeping Di Giannantonio during practice at last weekend’s French MotoGP at Le Mans, VR46 team principal Pablo Nieto said: "We want to continue with [di Giannantonio], of course. We have a very good relationship; it's our third year together, and every year we get faster and faster.

"We are working together with Ducati to give him what he wants: a factory bike, factory support.”

But despite those comments, the rumours of Di Giannantonio joining KTM have continued.

Reacting to the reports, VR46 team director Alessio Salucci said: “It's not easy for Fabio to remain with us because there are a lot of requests for him from other teams. After Barcelona [next weekend], we will know more. It's not 100 per cent yet.”