Fabio di Giannantonio has reportedly decided to leave VR46 and join KTM\u2019s factory MotoGP team for the 2027 season.<\/p>\n
The Italian, Ducati\u2019s leading rider in the world championship, was known to be a target for KTM and spoke earlier in the Le Mans weekend about the importance of keeping factory support for the new 850cc MotoGP<\/a> era.<\/p>\n Although racing for VR46, Diggia is directly contracted to Ducati <\/a>and rides factory-spec machinery.<\/p>\n However, uncertainty remained over whether that status would continue in 2027, when fellow factory-contracted rider Fermin Aldeguer <\/a>is expected to join VR46.<\/p>\n “We want to continue with [di Giannantonio], of course,” VR46<\/a> team principal Pablo Nieto said during practice at Le Mans weekend.<\/p>\n Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT<\/p>\n Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT<\/p>\n “We have a very good relationship; it’s our third year together, and every year we get faster and faster.<\/p>\n “We are working together with Ducati to give him what he wants: a factory bike, factory support.<\/p>\n “At the moment, we have one factory bike and one non-factory bike. Our goal is two factory bikes. We are working on that. We need more time, but that’s our focus.”<\/p>\n di Giannantonio insisted he was under “no pressure or rush” to decide.<\/p>\n However, Sky Italia reports that Diggia will now join fellow Ducati rider Alex Marquez, currently Aldeguer\u2019s team-mate at Gresini, in forming KTM\u2019s all-new factory line-up.<\/p>\n Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT<\/p>\n Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT<\/p>\n Responding to the news, 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% yet.”<\/p>\n Should di Giannantonio depart, a VR46 seat would become free for 2027, with WorldSBK title leader and Ducati 850cc test rider Nicolo Bulega <\/a>the obvious candidate.<\/p>\n However, a question mark over Luca Marini\u2019s<\/a> future at Honda could mean a return to his brother\u2019s team.<\/p>\n