BASTIANINI CONFIRMS MOVE FROM TECH3 KTM TO TRACKHOUSE APRILIA FOR 2027

Ahead of the MotoGP weekend at MotorLand Aragon, Enea Bastianini’s future was officially confirmed: the Italian will leave Tech3 KTM and join Trackhouse Aprilia for the 2027 season, when MotoGP’s next technical era begins. Trackhouse confirmed that Bastianini—an ex-Moto2 World Champion—will ride an Aprilia RS-GP from 2027, with the move also marking his departure from a team he says he gets along with well.

Bastianini framed the change as a difficult personal decision despite the positive atmosphere in the Tech3 garage. “I get along really well with everyone in the box. That’s why, in a situation like this, it’s always difficult when you have to change,” he said. However, he also acknowledged that the sporting side of his KTM partnership never delivered the progress he expected.

The Speedweek report highlights that Bastianini struggled to find his footing on the RC16, often running behind his teammate Pedro Acosta. The disappointment, he said, was not limited to the first year—he felt that even in his second season, the expected step forward did not arrive. “From last year to this year, we weren’t able to get faster. Sometimes we’re quick, but not in every situation. That’s why I made the decision to go elsewhere,” Bastianini explained.

A key detail in the story is how early Bastianini says he had already mentally committed to Aprilia. While his future had been the subject of speculation for months, he insisted his decision was effectively made much earlier. “My future was defined very early. It goes back to the first race,” he said, adding that he saw strong potential in the RS-GP. “I saw a lot of potential in the Aprilias and I saw that as my future.”

The report also notes that contact between Bastianini and Aprilia existed well before his MotoGP debut. There had been discussions even before he moved up from Moto2 to MotoGP in 2021, but no deal materialised at the time. “We already had many conversations in the past. That was already the case when I moved from Moto2 to MotoGP,” Bastianini said. He then described how things became more concrete later: “The talks intensified. It started at the first race. We waited a long time before the announcement, but for me it was already clear.” In other words, the official confirmation is presented as the formalisation of a choice he had already made.

Bastianini’s switch comes at a particularly significant moment for MotoGP. In 2027, the championship will move from 1000cc to 850cc, Pirelli will replace Michelin as the single tyre supplier, and ride-height devices will be banned. The report stresses that this means Bastianini’s challenge is not only learning a new manufacturer, but also adapting to a field-wide reset in technical conditions.

Even with those variables, he expressed optimism about his first year with Trackhouse. “Next year we’ll have different bikes, different tyres—many things will change. But I think I can be competitive next year,” he said.

Before the Aprilia chapter begins, Bastianini still has multiple races left on Tech3 KTM. The report points to Aragon as a potential opportunity to improve his current season results. He believes the circuit could suit the KTM, and by extension his own riding. “The KTM is normally faster here. That’s also true for me,” he said. He also referenced last year’s difficulties, explaining that he struggled to find the right pace. “Last year it was a bit difficult to find the speed. It’s always difficult when you get caught on the wrong foot. But this year it will be different.”

As a recent example of where things can go wrong, Bastianini cited Silverstone. He said he started strongly on Friday but couldn’t maintain that level through the weekend. “In Silverstone we were already strong on Friday, but on Saturday it didn’t come together. That’s one of our problems,” he analysed. He also pointed to issues when using used tyres, particularly related to front-wheel behaviour. “When we started on Saturday with used tyres, we had strong problems with blocking wheels. That’s why I lacked confidence in qualifying.”

With Aragon approaching, Bastianini said the plan is to address those weaknesses—especially on Saturdays. “We need to change something on Saturday. But I think Aragon could be a good track for us,” he said. In the short term, he wants better results to close out his KTM stint; in the long term, his focus is already on Aprilia—an ambition he says dates back to the very first Grand Prix of the season.