Ducati 2027: No carry-over Desmosedicis, but technical differences

With the start of the new MotoGP era in 2027, a concept that has been established at Ducati for many years will come to an end. As the 850cc regulations will introduce a completely new generation of motorcycles, the satellite teams will no longer be able to rely on the cheaper previous-year machines as they have done until now. Nevertheless, not all Ducati riders will receive identical machinery throughout the season.

Ducati’s sporting director, Mauro Grassilli, explained in an interview with SPEEDWEEK.com how the Italian manufacturer will implement the new strategy. “There won’t be any previous-year bikes. But there will be differences, as developments are made from race to race.”

At the start of the season, all Ducati riders will still be racing with virtually identical machinery. The differences will only emerge as the World Championship progresses, when Ducati brings new components to the circuit. “We’ll start the season with very similar specifications. However, the official factory bikes will then receive updates from race to race. That won’t be the case for the other bikes,” explained Grassilli.

This means that the Ducati-Lenovo works team will remain at the forefront of development even under the new regulations. World Champion Marc Marquez and Ducati’s new signing Pedro Acosta will be the first to benefit from technical innovations.

Who is unlikely to receive updates from Ducati

The situation is different for the customer teams. As things stand, both the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team and Gresini Racing will each receive just one Desmosedici featuring the latest specification. At Gresini, former world champion Joan Mir is likely to take on this role, whilst MotoGP rookie Daniel Holgado will initially have to manage without the ongoing updates – an understandable move given that this is his first season in the premier class.

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Mauro Grassilli im Gespräch mit Thomas Kuttruf und Sebastian Fränzschky

Foto: Gerhard Schiel

It remains to be seen, however, how Ducati will prioritise matters at VR46. No decision has yet been made there as to whether Fermin Aldeguer or Superbike World Champion Nicolo Bulega will receive the latest development stages. Bulega has the advantage that, as a Ducati-Pirelli test rider, he is already heavily involved in the development of the new generation of MotoGP bikes.

“So at the start of the season, the bikes will be quite similar, but the difference will grow as the season progresses,” announced Grassilli.

GP27 development: Does Bulega have an edge?

Two different test riders are playing a key role in the development of the new Desmosedici. Whilst Michele Pirro is responsible for the general development of the bike, Nicolo Bulega is focusing on the new Pirelli tyres, which will replace Michelin as the sole tyre supplier from 2027.

“Pirro is in charge of the general testing of the new machine and rides it on the old tyres. Nicolo, on the other hand, is concentrating on testing the new tyres. The difference in terms of development between Pirro and Nicolo is quite significant at this stage,” revealed Grassilli.

This means a clear hierarchy is already emerging for Ducati even before the start of the new MotoGP era: although the 2027 season will begin with all riders on virtually identical machinery, the further development progresses, the greater the technical advantage the factory riders will have over the satellite riders.