Pedro Acosta will test the 2027 KTM in Brno despite his future with Ducati—Several manufacturers are relying on riders whose futures lie with other teams for the test
Pedro Acosta will test the KTM RC16 for the 2027 MotoGP season in Brno next Monday. The test will mark the first use of the new 850cc engine, as well as Pirelli tires and a revised design featuring reduced aerodynamics and no ride-height systems, in accordance with the new regulations.
Particularly noteworthy: The Spaniard will ride the prototype even though he will be racing for another manufacturer—namely Ducati—next season.
The Austrian manufacturer KTM has nevertheless deliberately scheduled its current top rider for the test in order to gather valuable feedback on the new motorcycle. In 2027, the bike will be in the hands of Alex Marquez and Fabio Di Giannantonio, both of whom are currently still riding for Ducati satellite teams.
Acosta himself is on the verge of official confirmation as a Ducati factory rider in Bologna. There, he is set to form a high-caliber rider duo alongside Marc Marquez, which is likely to attract a great deal of attention in the MotoGP field.
Honda is also relying on its current factory riders, Joan Mir and Luca Marini, for the Brno test. Both are also set to ride the 2027 version of the RC213V with Pirelli tires for the first time, although Mir will be racing for Gresini-Ducati starting next season. Marini’s future position in the MotoGP field is still up in the air.
Aprilia Plans to Field Raul Fernandez
In addition to KTM and Honda, Aprilia has also decided to put a rider on the 850cc prototype whose future may lie elsewhere: Raul Fernandez. Joining him is Marco Bezzecchi, who has been a long-term reference rider on the factory team since extending his contract in February.
However, Fernandez’s test participation is still subject to change: According to the team, he has already arrived in Brno but is feeling unwell and is currently undergoing medical checks. Whether he will ride depends on his recovery in the short term. Furthermore, his future with Trackhouse remains unclear, as he has not yet signed a new contract for 2027.
At KTM, aside from Acosta, it’s also still unclear which test rider will support him during the 2027 test. The manufacturer has nominated Pol Espargaro and Dani Pedrosa, though only one of them can be selected. Both have already ridden the 2027 RC16 prototypes during private tests.
For Monday’s test in Brno, each manufacturer is allowed to field a maximum of two riders. As things stand, the following riders are scheduled to participate:
- Ducati: Marc Marquez and Fermin Aldeguer
- Yamaha: Toprak Razgatlioglu and Augusto Fernandez
- KTM: Pedro Acosta and Pol Espargaro or Dani Pedrosa
- Aprilia: Marco Bezzecchi and Raul Fernandez
- Honda: Joan Mir and Luca Marini