In a surprising turn of events, Aprilia announced the signing of Jorge Martin for the 2025 MotoGP season, marking a significant shift in the lineup of various teams. Ducati made a bold decision to secure Marc Marquez for their factory team, leaving Martin looking for opportunities elsewhere. Meanwhile, Enea Bastianini will join KTM, adding another layer of intrigue to the upcoming season.
Jorge Martin joins Aprilia
On Monday night, Aprilia shocked the MotoGP world by announcing Jorge Martin as their new rider for the 2025 season. Martin, who has excelled at Pramac Ducati, signed a multi-year contract with Aprilia after a late-night consultation with Piaggio boss Michele Colaninno. Aprilia Racing CEO Massimo Rivola expressed his excitement, stating: “Jorge’s trajectory is one of unwavering progress. He is a cornerstone in our pursuit of the ambitious goals we have at Aprilia Racing.”
Martin’s move to Aprilia was prompted by Ducati’s decision to prioritize Marc Marquez for their factory team. Martin, not wanting to remain in a satellite role, chose to join Aprilia, where he will replace the retired Aleix Espargaro.
Marc Marquez to Ducati
With Martin’s departure, Ducati has practically confirmed Marc Marquez’s move to their factory team in 2025. Marquez, who had previously rejected the idea of racing for Pramac with factory equipment, will now join Francesco Bagnaia at Ducati. This decision underscores Ducati’s commitment to retaining one of the most marketable and successful riders in the sport. “Pramac is not an option for me,” stated Marquez firmly, prompting Ducati to act quickly to secure his services.
Enea Bastianini to KTM
Enea Bastianini, another key figure in the MotoGP paddock, is set to join KTM for the 2025 season. His manager, Carlo Pernat, has already confirmed the move from Ducati to KTM. Pernat explained to Radio1 Rai and confirmed the move, stating: “Enea will ride an official KTM next year”. Bastianini is expected to join the Tech3 team, which has been competing under the GasGas brand since 2023. However, it is anticipated that the GasGas name will be gradually phased out, with all four KTM bikes competing under the KTM brand.
Despite these changes, Ducati will continue to have the largest number of bikes on the grid, maintaining a strong presence in the championship.
Both fans and teams will be watching closely to see how these changes impact the competition and whether the new alliances will lead to success on the track.
Implications for Ducati and the MotoGP grid.
The decision by Ducati to let go of both Martin and Bastianini has significant implications for the team’s structure and strategy. The potential loss of the Pramac team to Yamaha further complicates Ducati’s position, leaving them with only VR46 and Gresini teams as customers. Despite these changes, Ducati will continue to have the largest number of bikes on the grid, maintaining a strong presence in the championship. As the MotoGP paddock prepares for the 2025 season, the reshuffling of top riders promises an exciting and unpredictable championship. Martin’s move to Aprilia, Marquez’s return to a factory role at Ducati, and Bastianini’s switch to KTM will redefine the dynamics and rivalries of the teams. Both fans and teams will be watching closely to see how these changes affect the competition and whether the new alliances will lead to new successes on the track.
