Anticipated technical changes in MotoGP regulations for 2027 are already causing notable movements in the rider market well before the 2026 season starts. Key riders like Pedro Acosta, leaving KTM after this year, and Jorge Martin, whose contract with Aprilia ends in 2026, are among the hottest names attracting attention from various teams.
At the Piaggio Group’s team presentation in Milan, Motorsport.com interviewed Albert Valera, the agent for both Acosta and Martin, about the shifting landscape and future opportunities for his riders.
Jorge Martin’s Current Standing and Outlook for 2025
Valera reflected on the contrast between Martin’s position a year ago and now.
“A year ago, Jorge was coming off winning the world championship; now we’re coming from a very difficult season,”
he said. Despite setbacks, Martin remains motivated and focused, aiming to contend for the championship again.
“I see Jorge [is] very positive and aware of what he can still accomplish. He has a lot of confidence that this year he can fight for the world championship until the end; that is his goal,”
Valera added.
Regarding past tensions with Aprilia, Valera emphasized a professional approach on both sides.
“From our side, it’s not open. We understand that Aprilia did everything they could to retain Jorge. They understand that we had our reasons for doing what we did. There has always been professional respect; each side did its job. In any conflict or disagreement, you have to look for the positive side, and if there’s something good, we take from it, it’s that Aprilia really fought for Jorge – because they believed in him and they still believe in him today. And that’s something we value very highly,”
he stated.
When asked if fear played any role in Martin’s injuries last season, Valera dismissed the idea.
“No. Jorge is a lion, like the one they’ve put on the bike (the livery). He’s a bull who has no fear, and the best proof of that is the start he made in Japan, which ended up causing him an injury. A rider with fear doesn’t make starts like that. Quite the opposite: Jorge is a very bold rider, with a lot of motivation and energy, and if he channels it like he did in 2024, he can win another world championship,”
he said.
Aprilia’s Position In The Rider Market and Martin’s Future
With contracts expiring soon for riders like Marco Bezzecchi and Jorge Martin, Valera was asked how Aprilia might approach rider contracts.
“I think that right now Aprilia is the second-best bike after Ducati — or I’d even dare to say at the same level. That has turned them into a very attractive option for any rider. They’ve shown they are a great family and a great project. After last year’s disagreement, we’ve seen that they have continued to treat Jorge the same or even better, and they trust him again. So I’d say Aprilia is on pole position for many riders…”
Regarding Martin, he confirmed that Aprilia remains an option:
“For Jorge, it is an option, indeed.”
When pressed if this means a leading role, Valera cautiously responded,
“I’ll tell you that in a few weeks, but yes, it’s a very serious option to consider, because they deserve it and, today, together with Ducati, they have the best bike.”
Pedro Acosta’s Primary Aim: A Factory Team Seat
Albert Valera also manages Pedro Acosta, who is regarded as one of the most sought-after young riders currently available. At VR46’s launch event in Rome, team principal Uccio Salucci expressed continued interest in Acosta, highlighting the potential link between the rider and Valentino Rossi’s outfit.
Valera confirmed that multiple teams remain interested, and a factory team seat is the main objective.
“There are possibilities with the vast majority of teams. Is it an option? Yes. As I said, Ducati is, together with Aprilia, the best bike, so why not — it could be an option. Obviously every rider aspires to go to the factory team, so that will be our primary objective. If that doesn’t happen, you always have to study a plan B or a plan C. But I insist: our first objective is to fight for a place in a factory team, whether it’s Ducati or another manufacturer,”
he said.
Anticipation of Early Decisions Amid Uncertain 2027 Season
Valera highlighted the unusual circumstances surrounding the upcoming market due to the major changes expected in the 2027 technical regulations.
“We can’t wait to test the 2027 bikes. It’s going to be a blind decision because a new regulation comes in and everything starts from scratch. You have to take a gamble and trust the people — the individuals who make up each team. That will be the key: that each rider chooses the human capital they want to work with in 2027 and 2028, the people they believe will give them a better bike and greater happiness.”
Because of this uncertainty, Valera predicts that many rider movements will occur early in the season.
“I’d say that, unlike other years, it doesn’t make sense to wait and see what the bikes will be like. I think the market is going to move early, and in the first races we’ll already know the destination of many riders,”
he explained.
Outlook on the Impact of Rider Moves and Factory Seats
The potential shifts in team line-ups and rider contracts during the early stages of 2026 signal a highly dynamic season ahead, intensified by the imminent 2027 regulation overhaul. Pedro Acosta’s hunt for a coveted factory seat, possibly with Ducati or VR46, will play a significant role in reshaping competition landscapes. Meanwhile, Jorge Martin’s future remains closely linked to Aprilia, reflecting a complex blend of respect, trust, and competitive ambition.
As both riders and teams strategize amid these changes, the early movements in the market may reshape MotoGP’s competitive hierarchy long before the curtain closes on the 2026 season.
