Only one Ducati is known to be available in 2026.
It may be too early for the MotoGP rider market to really start gearing, but it’s never too early to bounce back.
Franco Morbidelli is tied to VR46 on a one-year contract. This means he is the only Ducati rider who can easily and freely cut at the end of this season.
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He’s riding a 2024 Desmocesic, but there will be many rivals who might fantasize about a bike.
However, Morbidelli took the podium after finishing eighth on the grid, reminiscing about his quality at the Argentina Motogpu.
Franco Morbidelli is under pressure to stay in MotoGP
Franco Morbidelli
“He’s had many dark years,” Peter McLaren told the Crush Motogup Podcast.
“He was in Yamaha and there were questions like Pecco Bagnaia had now.
“Why aren’t you doing what Fabio Cartalaro is doing? You have to change your style.”
“Each rider has a different riding style and setup, which is difficult for riders.
“He went back to the podium and rode well. He did tire gambling. It was a great ride back to the podium for the first time since 2021.
“He is under pressure as his ride is, as far as we know, the only Ducati ride we will be catching next year.
“The rumor is that Pedro Acosta might see the ride if things aren’t planned at KTM.
“He has pressure on me because of how good the ride is, and there are probably a lot of people who want to ride a Ducati.
“They know they have a factory Ducati engine next year.
“Ducatis is being asked and he has the only one available.
“He does a good job saying, ‘I deserve it before I put anyone else in this seat.’
“He’s confident right now, and that’s always a big thing.
“Fabio di Giannantonio isn’t that late and is back from a recent injury.
“The perfect fit DiGear might have been ahead of Pecco…”
Morbidelli’s MotoGP future was saved when his old friend of VR46 handed over his 2025 contract.
His Pramac Ducati potential was largely ruined last season by persistent head injuries in the preseason.
He was out of the monotonous spell at Yamaha.
When Pramac signed with Yamaha in 2025, Morbidelli’s future seemed unclear until VR46 offered reprieve.
However, he needs more performances he exhibited in Argentina.
KTM Star Acosta will be linked to Spanish media by turning on the AA switch on the VR46 next year.
Like many riders, Acosta may be flashy to ride a Ducati if his own machine doesn’t prove to be uncompetitive in the near future.