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Right now it is Ducati that holds the transfer market in check, with three riders (Bastianini, Marquez and Martin) all aiming for the second seat on the factory team, alongside Bagnaia. It will probably take another month before the situation is unblocked, and the other manufacturers are looking around. While Yamaha has already renewed with Quartararo and KTM is negotiating a contract extension for Acosta until 2026 (in addition to having already ring-fenced Binder), for Aprilia the situation is more fluid.
Massimo Rivola has said that he is happy with his two riders and this is especially true for Vinales now that he has managed to free himself, while Espargarò's situation is more uncertain. The Noale manufacturer owes a debt of gratitude to Aleix, who had espoused the Aprilia cause in difficult times to the point of taking the RS-GP to victory. The Spaniard, until a few months ago, seemed to have every intention of continuing to race again next year, but in recent times he has become more possibilistic in his declarations. Espargarò is the most senior rider on the grid and may decide to quit, not entirely but by following the example of other riders, such as Pedrosa or his brother Pol. Aprilia, in fact, would keep him as a test rider, with the possibility of doing some wild card races during the season. An attractive offer, which would allow Aleix to continue riding a MotoGP bike and have more time for himself and his family.
In this case, there would be a vacancy in the factory team. Bastianini would probably take it right away. At this start of the championship, his position in Ducati seems weaker than that of Martin and Marquez. Enea has shown himself to be improving and very consistent, but the two Spaniards have been faster than him, even if they have made a few too many mistakes. The Rimini rider, at the moment, is the one of the three who has the least chance of wearing red for the next two years, and in Aprilia he would land on his feet.
Rivola himself has repeatedly said that the team could use an Italian (a victory with a tricolor bike and rider is a plus in terms of image, as Ducati has shown) and that he likes Bastianini, but wants to wait. Bezzecchi is also on the list of the Noale manufacturer, but the current offer would be to wear Trackhouse colours, so in the satellite team but with an official bike.
The alternative for the first team would be Martin. Jorge will definitely not stay in Pramac, he feels (rightly so) that he deserves an official team and if it is not the Borgo Panigale one he will have to change bikes. The fact is that there are not many alternatives to Ducati if one wants a competitive bike: either KTM (where, however, Binder would have to be moved to Tech3 to make room for him) or Aprilia. Within the Italian manufacturer Martin has a good 'sponsor': Aleix Espargarò. The two, in fact, not only 'share' the same manager Albert Valera, but are good friends, travel and vacation companions. For Aprilia, Jorge would be the young rider they are missing, the one who could remove all the last remaining doubts about the RS-GP. The only problem is that he would again form an all-Spanish team.
Rivola, however, has made it clear that he is in no hurry to decide. The strategy is understandable: if he went now to try and poach one of the two riders he would have to make them an attractive offer; if he waits to see who Ducati will leave high-and-dry, on the other hand, he will have more room for bargaining, knowing that patience may work in his favor.
