Marcos Ramirez: After a failed spell at QJ Motor, a fresh start in Supersport with Ducati

Marcos Ramirez had actually had other career plans than competing in the 2026 Supersport World Championship with QJ Motor. But because the Spaniard was unexpectedly dropped by the Moto2 team American Racing, a ride with the Chinese manufacturer in the production-based world championship was his only remaining lifeline.

But although Moto2 proved to be a good training ground for the Supersport World Championship – since Sandro Cortese in 2018, only one world champion, Adrian Huertas in 2024, had not started out in the GP paddock – Ramirez struggled to find his feet at QJ and was overshadowed by his team-mate Raffaele De Rosa, who had passed his peak at the age of 39. After two 17th-place finishes as his best result and five crashes in 14 races, QJ Motor parted ways with the 28-year-old. Ramirez subsequently stepped in as a replacement for various Moto2 teams, but also failed to score any points in five races. De Rosa, at least, picked up five World Championship points.

Somewhat surprisingly, Orelac Racing has now announced the signing of the Spaniard for the 2027 Supersport World Championship. The top Ducati team of the past two years needed a successor to Jaume Masià, who had agreed terms with Kawasaki for next season. “I’m really looking forward to tackling 2027 alongside Orelac,” said Ramirez enthusiastically. “We’ll be a very competitive duo. I can’t wait to get started.”

In 2027, Ducati will be fielding the significantly lighter current 890cc V2. Feel Racing and Philipp Öttl have been preparing the bike for racing for months.

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