Can exiting Ducati riders be tempted back for 2027 regulations?

Ducati have been warned that the true cost of losing several young riders might be felt in 2027.

In three years, the new MotoGP regulations will kick in providing hope for other manufacturers that they can begin their own eras of domination.

For now Ducati are firmly in charge, and will hope to keep hold of the championship next year when Marc Marquez joins Pecco Bagnaia in their factory team.

The result of choosing Marquez for the coveted red bike is losing Enea Bastianini to Tech3 KTM, Jorge Martin and Marco Bezzecchi to Aprilia, and even the Pramac team who will join Yamaha.

Marquez, meanwhile, will be the second-oldest rider on the grid next year.

“It’s going to hurt if you are one of those young riders. You will be disappointed,” broadcaster Simon Crafar commented on the big Ducati decision for their 2025 bike.

“But, if you look at the other side, Ducati want to win the championship.

“It’s the strongest pairing in a long time. They have the best chance to win it, they have the strongest machine.

“You could say they’ve upset riders.”

Bagnaia and Marquez are contracted until the end of 2026, before the new regulations begin.

Ducati may hope to bring Martin, Bezzecchi or Bastianini back into the fold in 2027 with the promise of the best bike in the sport.

“When it’s time to replace Marc or Pecco, if you’ve got the best bike, riders want to ride your machine. You renegotiate,” Crafar said.

“It’s a brutal world! It’s how it is. I totally understand they have taken the tough line but with their eye on the prize.

But Ducati have been told that, if rival manufacturers rise up with impressive projects for 2027 and beyond, the likes of Martin and Bastianini might not fancy coming back to the manufacturer which ditched them this year.

Crafar said: “If they don’t turn up with the best bike in 2027 with the new regs?

“It might be a bit trickier…”

Ducati have bet big on recruiting Marquez, the eight-time world champion.

It is a decision which has cost them an impressive array of talent.

Ducati have insisted that their commitment to young riders will continue, despite signing Marquez, and point to the incoming Fermin Aldeguer as proof.

But the development of the Desmosedici will have to continue in the background regardless of which big-name riders are contracted.