MotoGP is going through its stupidest season ever. The rider market is crazy, with many moves for 2027 already finalized or nearly finalized before the 2026 season begins. I believe this creates its own issues between riders and teams, but since we are on the eve of completely new rules for MotoGP bikes, some teams are in a precarious position.
Next year, all MotoGP bikes will run reduced aerodynamics packages and 850 cc engines, the biggest technical change since 2012, when the capacity limit was increased from 800 cc to 1000 cc. The problem is that teams need to develop these machines with the fastest riders they have, but it is better not to give detailed information about the new bike to riders who are about to change teams.
Instead of keeping Pedro Acosta away from the 2027 KTM MotoGP prototype as he moves to Ducati’s factory team next season, the Austrian brand is letting him ride the bike in Monday’s Brno test. The test in Brno is not only meant to develop KTM’s 2027 challenger, but will also give riders the first chance to use Pirelli rubber, which will replace the Michelins they currently run.
Acosta is KTM’s lead rider, but he will be joined by the brand’s test riders Pol Espargaro and Dani Pedrosa. Basically, no brand would let riders test their bikes if the riders were changing teams in 2027, but KTM is the second brand after Honda to go against those norms.
Earlier this week, Honda announced it would let Joan Mir and Luca Marini ride the 2027 prototype. Mir is expected to leave Honda for Grissini Racing, while Marini’s future remains a mystery.
The question is, are we seeing a trend of brands being more lax in terms of testing, or is this a result of manufacturers’ concern about entering the next generation of MotoGP with the best possible machines?
