Gresini Ducati rider Alex Marquez has revealed that he is evaluating several options for his 2027 MotoGP season, aiming to secure his future before the start of the upcoming racing calendar. Since joining Gresini in 2023, the Spaniard has emerged as a strong contender, finishing as runner-up in last season’s standings and earning a factory-spec Ducati bike for 2026 after impressing during tests.
Marquez’s rising profile has made him one of the most sought-after riders in the market, with particular attention on his potential move to the factory KTM team for 2027, as KTM plans to replace Pedro Acosta, who is set to join Ducati. Speaking after the recent Sepang test, Marquez confirmed his primary offer remains with Gresini, but several possibilities are still under consideration.
“I have several options,”
Marquez explained during his media session.
“The most solid offer is from Gresini, because I know the team, I know everything about it, and the emotional aspect, which is important for a rider, is also a good fit.
If I can take a risk in a year, it will be next year because nobody knows which path will be the best.
That’s why the market is going crazy; everyone wants the top riders.
At the moment, I’m pretty relaxed; I know more or less what options we have on the table.
But I’m still working on it, then I’ll decide. If I can decide before the test in Thailand, I will. If not, I’ll wait a little longer.
But I want to have my future sorted out before the first race. Then I’ll be clear about what I’ll be doing in 2027; I have a pretty clear idea.
Preference for 2024 Aerodynamics Highlighted During Sepang Testing
During the Sepang test, Ducati’s riders experimented with various aerodynamic designs, each favoring different front fairing options. Alex Marquez opted mostly to use the 2024 aero package that he raced with last year, as it provides him more confidence and better feedback.
“Still, I think we have some margin to try a few things in Thailand,”
Marquez noted.
“So, it’s not close still. Today, the aero that I used was my one from last year, so the ’24, I would say like this.
I used it more because I know that aero better and I have more feeling. But there are still a few things to try.”
Reflecting on the overall day, Marquez praised the progress made with his bike setup. Earlier bad weather limited work during the previous afternoon, but the team was able to focus fully during the most recent test day.
“Was a really good day. We started from the morning in a really good way. Yesterday afternoon, because of the rain, we couldn’t focus on our set-up.
But today we could. And we were able to put everything together and just extract the potential from the package we have today.
Still, in Thailand we have a few things to try and try to improve.
But today I think we extracted the potential, not just on the fast lap, but also the sprint simulation was quite good.
I made some mistakes, but from riding side I can improve. But I was able to be quite constant and finish with good lap times.”
Looking Ahead to Decisions and Next Steps
Alex Marquez’s position as a prominent figure in the MotoGP rider market reflects his consistent performance and adaptability since joining Gresini. His careful consideration of 2027 options, including potential shifts to KTM’s factory lineup, underscores a strategic approach in navigating his career choices. The looming decision, likely to be finalized before or shortly after the Thailand test, will shape the next phase of his MotoGP journey.
Marquez’s preference for familiar equipment combined with the willingness to test new setups suggests he is balancing comfort with innovation as he aims to maintain and improve his competitiveness. His comments reflect a determined mindset focused on clarity and preparation, underlining the importance of resolving his future plans ahead of the new season’s start.
