Ducati CEO responds to controversy over Marc Marquez and Pedro Acosta line-up

The Italian squad have called time on what was hoped to be a dream partnership of Marc Marquez and Francesco Bagnaia for another blockbuster one.

Turin native Bagnaia will leave the team at the end of the season as their most successful rider ever and a two-time champion, but his form dropped off a cliff after Marquez’s 2025 arrival.

The No.63 is heading to Aprilia and will be replaced by KTM’s Pedro Acosta, who has already conducted some tantalising duels with future teammate Marquez this season.

By signing the pair through to the end of 2028, Ducati will run their first line-up without an Italian in 17 years. The last was in 2010 with Australian Casey Stoner and American Nicky Hayden.

The decision has raised some eyebrows back home, and it was a controversy that Domenicali had to respond to when asked by Gazzetta dello Sport:

Elsewhere, it’s four Spaniards from four when it comes to official Ducati rides for 2027.

Gresini have announced the signings of 2020 champion Joan Mir and Moto2 talent Dani Holgado, with the former getting the same 2027-spec bike as Marquez and Acosta.

Their other satellite team, VR46 Racing, is yet to confirm their 2027 line-up, but it could be heading towards all six riders on Italian machinery being Spanish.

Fermin Aldeguer will leave Gresini and is heavily rumoured to be switching to Valentino Rossi’s autonomous squad, leaving one final Ducati vacancy.

Domenicali has now tried to ease some tensions by announcing he’s pushing for an Italian on that bike:

Domenicali also discussed the here and now, with Ducati facing plenty of competition from fellow Italian outfit Aprilia.

Factory duo Jorge Martin and Marco Bezzecchi currently occupy the top two spots in the riders’ standings, with satellite rider Ai Ogura in fourth.

Sandwiched in between is VR46 Ducati rider Fabio Di Giannantonio, and behind in fifth is nine-time world champion Marquez.

Giving his take on the rest of the season, Domenicali added:

The executive added more on Marquez, giving the surprise revelation that he doesn’t see the Catalan as fully recovered from last season’s injuries despite two wins in the last three races:

Finally, he encouraged fans to be excited about their latest hire: