22 GPs, 814 points up for grabs and the most coveted prize in motorcycle racing, MotoGP’s 2026 will be as outstanding as ever but this year, it’s the off-track headlines that are writing themselves. We thought some were wild rumours, then they seem to have some truth. Those certainties we banked on not as firm as we first thought. So, let the music begin – let’s see who’s standing when it goes off. This is your 2027 silly season guide.

“We have a Plan B if Jorge leaves”: who joins Bezzecchi at Aprilia Racing?

With the wedding vows read and the honeymoon set, Marco Bezzecchi is the only rider confirmed to be in a factory team so far – but who joins him? Current teammate Jorge Martin looked to leave during 2025 and with him being sidelined at the Sepang test and lacking kilometres, could he be on his way to a different manufacturer? Aprilia Racing CEO Massimo Rivola made one thing clear: “Aprilia never sleeps. There are Plan B, Plan C, D…”. Could Plan B lie within the existing Aprilia family or will someone find themselves with the brand that clinched runner-up in the manufacturers’ standings?

Ducati Lenovo Team: will Acosta replace Pecco to join Marc Marquez?

The first domino to fall, the one that arguably holds most of the cards: Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team). He made it clear during Ducati’s team launch in Madonna di Campiglio that his first choice will be to stay with Ducati and team manager Davide Tardozzi stated that the manufacturer’s number one priority is getting the #93 signed again and that they’re “close”. For the second bike, no rider has been mentioned by the team manager – neither a rumour of Pedro Acosta nor current occupant Francesco Bagnaia, the latter saying that he has “great opportunities” for 2027. In the words of Tardozzi himself, “we’ll see.” Acosta’s ambition is unquestionable and despite a successful Sepang test with KTM, he rated it at just 6/10.

Honda HRC Castrol: Quartararo on the move?

One manufacturer that has grabbed the headlines of silly season has been Honda. Motorsport.com reported that Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP’s Fabio Quartararo is reportedly off to join the other Japanese marque in the paddock, with the 2021 World Champion himself saying that “we’re talking with teams, Honda is one.” As for who could join El Diablo, it’s anyone’s guess – both current Honda HRC Castrol riders Joan Mir and Luca Marini will be determined to hold on to their rides, whilst team boss Alberto Puig clarified that Quartararo is a “great rider” but that Honda is “talking to a few options” in the paddock.

With or without Fabio? Yamaha’s 2027 dilemma

After motorsport.com initially reported Fabio Quartararo’s departure from the Iwata marque, they swiftly followed it up with a possible replacement: Jorge Martin. Whilst there’s been no comment about his future so far, instead electing to focus on getting back on board his RS-GP, the 2024 World Champion is very much on the market. All other Yamaha riders are also up for renewal, with Toprak Razgatlioglu (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP) the least likely to move after just one-year. There have also been further comments regarding Yamaha’s 2027 plans from the brand’s top brass of Max Bartolini, Paolo Pavesio and Maio Meregalli.

KTM: as one Marquez inherits Acosta as teammate, does the other replace him?

After the success together in 2025 and then topping the timesheets at the Sepang Test in 2026, rumours are circulating that Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) is on the move to the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing outfit despite solid options to remain where he is. This means he’d potentially be replacing Acosta should he join Ducati. If that is true, then it leaves just one seat. After Acosta, Maverick Viñales (Red Bull KTM Tech 3) was next fastest and has a great relationship with boss Aki Ajo, whilst current rider Brad Binder has been a veteran in the project since 2020 and has been in the Red Bull KTM fold since 2015 back in Moto3.

ROUDING OUT: other riders a 2027 interest

Fermin Aldeguer (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) will be certain to stay in the Ducati family but on factory material, given that Ducati Corse General Manager stated that he’s “the future” of the Italian brand. Attention would turn more to who his teammate could be in the event Alex Marquez leaves. The VR46 Ducatis are also huge seats and team owner Valentino Rossi has stated he wants his bikes to fight for wins again in 2027. And both of his current riders – Fabio Di Giannantonio and Franco Morbidelli – will need to justify their seats after a winless 2025.

Elsewhere, the Red Bull KTM Tech 3 outfit is an unknown but if there was to be a punt on a rookie, you’d not look too far beyond the KTM-contracted Daniel Holgado or teammate David Alonso in Moto2. Then, should Nicolo Bulega go on and dominate WorldSBK in 2026 as we’re all expecting, he’s another name who could find himself in a 2027 seat, given that he’s also testing Ducati’s new 850. At Trackhouse, they’ve given rookies chances before but after Raul Fernandez’s performances in 2026, should he leave to the factory squad, who could replace him? Two riders who need not worry with their contracts inked are Johann Zarco and rookie Diogo Moreira, both of whom have Honda deals into 2027.

As the opening Grand Prix of the 2026 season in Thailand quickly approaches from the horizon, expect 2027 rider confirmations to begin dropping over the next few weeks.