Fabio di Giannantonio commits to KTM and opens the door for Nicolo Bulega at VR46

Di Giannantonio looks set to leave Ducati's fold and move across to KTM

Fabio Di Giannantonio has reached an agreement to race for the factory KTM team in the 2027 MotoGP season - opening the door for Nicolo Bulega at VR46.

The 27-year-old, who until now had been contracted by Ducati while racing for VR46, had set Friday of the French Grand Prix weekend as the deadline to receive an offer from the Italian manufacturer that satisfied his financial demands.

But Ducati and Valentino Rossi’s team asked the rider for more time to make a decision and instead of doing so, di Giannantonio has accepted KTM’s offer to become a factory rider alongside Alex Marquez.

The Italian's dream was to become a factory rider for a manufacturer and, in parallel, increase his annual salary to around €2million. These are two ambitions that are fulfilled by signing for KTM, a move that was finalised on Saturday night in the Le Mans paddock at this weekend's grand prix.

Fabio Di Giannantonio, VR46 Racing Team

Photo by: Pierre-Louis Le Mouëllic

Bulega and Marini, VR46’s two options

VR46 must now look for a second rider next year to partner Fermin Aldeguer. Aldeguer, who is contracted by Ducati as a factory rider, will leave Gresini to move to the Tavullia team’s garage.

Motorsport.com understands that the options for that second position are Bulega and Luca Marini. The former, a Ducati factory rider in the World Superbike Championship, has a contract that also makes him a test rider in MotoGP, with “the promise” of an eventual move to the premier class.

“If Diggia does not continue with us, our main option to replace him is Nicolo,” commented a source at Ducati, which would take care of the salaries of the two VR46 riders.

However, there is one detail that could complicate Bulega’s arrival in MotoGP, which is Marini’s situation. If Rossi’s half-brother does not manage to continue at Honda or does not find another destination on the premier class grid, the team could bring him back for next season. But that would mean having to take charge of the rider’s salary and pay Ducati for the full bike.