KTM has landed two of MotoGP’s hottest names for the new 850cc era as the Austrian factory team looks to reset its fortunes
KTM has made a major statement ahead of MotoGP’s looming technical reset, confirming Alex Marquez and Fabio Di Giannantonio will join Red Bull KTM Factory Racing from 2027 on multi year deals.
The twin signings give KTM an entirely new look for the start of the 850cc era, with both riders arriving as proven race winners and genuine front running talents at a time when every manufacturer will be forced to start over under sweeping new regulations.
Marquez, a former Moto3 and Moto2 world champion, comes to KTM after a breakout 2025 campaign in which he finished runner up in the MotoGP world championship to his brother Marc while riding for Gresini Racing. He underlined that form again in 2026 with another victory at Jerez, adding to the premier class wins he scored in Jerez, Catalunya and Malaysia last year. Alex’s 2026 season was then hit by injury after Pedro Acosta’s KTM lost power in front of him at Catalunya, causing a high speed collision.
The 30 year old Spaniard brings six full seasons of MotoGP experience and a long history with KTM, having taken his first grand prix podium and maiden win on the brand’s Moto3 machinery back in 2013. Across all classes, Marquez has amassed 16 grand prix victories and 56 podiums.
Di Giannantonio arrives with similarly strong credentials. The Italian is one of the few riders on the current MotoGP grid to have won races in Moto3, Moto2 and MotoGP, and has developed into one of the category’s most consistent front runners. He is currently the leading Ducati rider in the MotoGP championship in third place, just 16 points behind championship leader Jorge Martin.
The Roman has been especially impressive across the opening part of the 2026 season, scoring three grand prix podiums including one win, along with four Sprint podiums from the first 10 rounds. His rise follows a strong 2023 campaign in which he claimed his first MotoGP podium at Phillip Island before breaking through for a memorable maiden win in Qatar.
For KTM, the signings are a clear indication of intent. So far this year only standout talent Pedro Acosta, who is Ducati bound next year, has been able to regularly challenge for top positions with orange machinery. But the sweeping 850cc regulations changes to be introduced next season mean all manufacturers are starting from a clean slate, giving KTM a valuable opportunity to regroup and rebuild around two established stars.
