Confirmed: Di Giannantonio in the KTM factory team until 2027, ‘multi-year deal’ confirmed

It had been on the cards for some time that Fabio Di Giannantonio would be racing for the Austrian manufacturer’s official works team next year – not least thanks to his consistent results compared to other riders in the top flight. Just 120 minutes after Alex Marquez’s confirmation, Fabio Di Giannantonio is now also an official part of the KTM MotoGP project – ‘Diggia’ has likewise signed a multi-year contract. One thing is certain: in 2027 and 2028, the riders for the factory team led by Aki Ajo will be Alex Marquez and Fabio Di Giannantonio.

For Di Giannantonio, who hails from Rome, the deal with KTM marks another career leap. His last such leap came two years ago, when the Italian was brought into VR46 Racing with the support of Ducati Corse. Di Giannantonio had earned the move at the time thanks to a dramatic improvement in his performance as a Gresini-Ducati rider in late 2024.

The move to KTM two years later was made possible by great consistency and a further improvement in his results. In 2025, the rider with the melodious yet unwieldy name finished the World Championship in 6th place, just behind Pecco Bagnaia. Things are going even better at the moment. Not least thanks to his victory at the dramatic Barcelona Grand Prix and, in particular, 13 further top-five finishes, Di Giannantonio sits third in the World Championship standings with 177 points. He trails the new championship leader, Jorge Martin, by 16 points.

Fabio Di Giannantonio: Der WM-Dritte wurde von KTM verpflichtet

Foto: instagram Fabio Di Giannantonio

The signing of Fabio Di Giannantonio is the result of swift action by the Austrians. When it became apparent that Pedro Acosta was set to move to the Ducati factory team – thereby simultaneously preventing Di Giannantonio from progressing further at Ducati – the prospect of a full factory contract proved persuasive. The 27-year-old succeeded in convincing them of the potential of the KTM project – and in bringing a second winning rider into Aki Ajo’s team.

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“Fabio has clearly taken a step forward and is now one of the most consistent top riders in MotoGP. His pace and his commitment to delivering the best possible performance are beyond question. He is a strong team player and a good bloke, and we know he will slot seamlessly into our Red Bull KTM Factory Racing project,” said KTM Head of Racing Pit Beirer on the new agreement with “FD49”.

Beirer welcomed him with open arms: “During our discussions, we were impressed by how passionate he is about giving his all, both on and off the track, and we believe that the next chapter together will be exciting and unforgettable. Welcome, Fabio!”

A notable footnote to the transfer: as a KTM rider, Di Giannantonio can return to Red Bull, his long-standing partner and the team that discovered him in the Rookies Cup. For team-mate Alex Márquez, who has represented the Austrian manufacturer for years, things will continue as before.