~ MotoGP Announcement: Bagnaia signs a multi-year contract to partner Marco Bezzecchi on the Aprilia RS-GP, forming a historic all-Italian dream team ~
ASSEN (June 25, 2026) — MotoGP World Champion Francesco Bagnaia has officially signed a landmark four-year contract with Aprilia Racing, securing a monumental partnership that begins in 2027. This highly anticipated agreement pairs the Italian superstar with compatriot Marco Bezzecchi on the powerhouse Aprilia RS-GP machine. By uniting these two elite talents, the Noale-based manufacturer successfully creates a historic, all-Italian factory line-up that is beautifully positioned to lead the future of premier-class motorcycle racing on the global stage.
The signing of Bagnaia represents a highly valuable addition to Aprilia Racing, as the arrival of a three-time World Champion will further strengthen the team’s position at the top of MotoGP. The agreement also confirms the solidity of Aprilia Racing’s project ahead of the 2027 technical regulation changes, which will see the introduction of the new 850cc engines.
Francesco Bagnaia’s numbers are impressive: since making his Moto3 debut in 2013, the Italian rider has shown exceptional talent and great determination — qualities that have led him to secure three World Championships, one in Moto2 in 2018 and two consecutive MotoGP titles in 2022 and 2023. He has also achieved a total of 41 victories, 86 podium finishes, and 35 pole positions – a record that places Bagnaia among the most successful Italian riders in the top class, behind only Giacomo Agostini and Valentino Rossi.
MASSIMO RIVOLA – CEO APRILIA RACING: “Michele Colaninno and I share the same vision of supporting Italy, which is why we both thought of Marco and Pecco together for the next chapter of Aprilia Racing. Bagnaia’s arrival is a confirmation of the value of Italian sport, which in recent months has distinguished itself on the world stage thanks to the achievements of Kimi Antonelli in Formula 1, Jannik Sinner in tennis, and Federica Brignone at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. That is why welcoming Pecco fills us with pride and gives Italian sport a further boost internationally. We will give him and his family a warm welcome, but first we will try to beat him! Having a multiple World Champion is a responsibility we can’t wait to take on.”
This high-profile signing elevates Aprilia Racing into a true symbol of Italian sporting dominance on the world stage. By uniting Bagnaia’s elite championship experience with the engineering prowess of the Noale factory, the team is remarkably well-positioned for the 2027 technical transition. As anticipation builds, this all-Italian alliance stands as a powerful testament to the nation’s golden era of international sport, setting a magnificent new benchmark for premier-class racing.
