MotoGP silly season continues: The best riders still on the market

Missing from this list are riders who already have contracts in place, but whose teams have yet to be announced. Fermin Aldeguer is all but confirmed to join VR46 having previously signed a contract with Ducati, while Honda has yet to decide whether Diogo Moreira or Colombian Moto2 talent David Alonso will ride for its factory team next year.

In the second half of the 2025 season, Fernandez began to find his form. He claimed his first Sprint podium in Indonesia before winning the Australian Grand Prix. After adding another podium to his tally in Valencia, expectations for the Spaniard also grew ahead of the 2026 season.

Although he trails Ai Ogura in the standings, Fernandez has also enjoyed strong results, including two more Sprint victories and multiple Grand Prix podiums.

Fernandez is reportedly on course to renew with Trackhouse, with Aprilia's satellite team preferring a one-year deal. However, he could be a valuable addition for any manufacturer, as he has proven over the past few months.

The Italian is currently unstoppable in the World Superbike Championship. He has won all but one race so far in 2026, with his only defeat coming when he finished second to his teammate, Iker Lecuona.

Previously, he was the only rider capable of challenging Toprak Razgatlioglu in WorldSBK. A move to MotoGP should be easier next year with the introduction of the new technical regulations. Although the points standings may suggest otherwise, Toprak frequently outperformed his Yamaha teammates on numerous occasions as well.

Bulega is reportedly set to remain within the Ducati family by joining Valentino Rossi's VR46 team. If that happens, he would be the only Italian rider competing on a Ducati in MotoGP next season.

The Italian has comfortably scored the most points of Honda's riders this season and has been the most reliable member of the Japanese manufacturer's 2026 line-up.

However, Honda's line-up is also complete with Fabio Quartararo, Diogo Moreira, David Alonso and Johann Zarco for next year. Over the past few seasons, Marini has played a key role in developing Honda's bike and could be a valuable addition for any manufacturer.

After just missing out on the Moto2 title last season, Gonzalez now leads the riders' standings comfortably ahead of Izan Guevara. While Alonso and Holgado have already been confirmed as MotoGP riders for next year, Gonzalez is reportedly attracting interest from several WorldSBK teams.

The Spaniard is hoping to earn a chance in MotoGP, and if he continues to deliver, a team may decide to give him that opportunity.