Key Pecco Bagnaia MotoGP ally won’t follow him to Aprilia, claims new report

Pecco Bagnaia is set to part ways with long-time MotoGP crew chief Cristian Gabarrini when he moves to Aprilia next season, fresh reports from Italy claim.

The partnership between Pecco Bagnaia and Gabarrini began in 2019, when the then-reigning Moto2 champion stepped up to the premier class with Ducati and Pramac.

Gabarrini followed Bagnaia to the factory Ducati squad in 2021, with the famed engineer helping the 29-year-old to all 31 of his MotoGP victories and both world titles.

Bagnaia’s place at the factory Ducati team was uncertain over the winter following a tough 2025, while early reports linking Pedro Acosta to his seat for 2027 all but confirmed his future.

The Italian had been close to a Yamaha deal, but has now settled on Aprilia, with Bagnaia reportedly signing a four-year contract with the brand.

The deal is yet to be made official, pending final confirmation of a new agreement between MotoGP and the manufacturers.

Big changes ahead for Bagnaia

In recent weeks, paddock chatter has centred on whether or not Bagnaia will bring Gabarrini with him to Aprilia.

Gabarrini has an illustrious career in MotoGP already, working with the likes of Casey Stoner and Jorge Lorenzo over the years.

According to GPOne, Gabarrini will remain at Ducati to work with the incoming Pedro Acosta in 2027.

The Italian publication claims Bagnaia has elected against taking Gabarrini with him to Aprilia in order to start with a completely clean slate at the Noale brand.

As such, he will link up with Daniele Romagnoli, who currently works with Jorge Martin, and who following the Spaniard to Aprilia last year after winning the title together at Pramac.

Bagnaia’s decision makes a lot of sense

It’s pretty common for a rider to want to bring their crew chief with them to a different manufacturer. A crew chief knows the rider and what they need better than anyone.

But that pattern of familiarity can also be a hindrance. KTM elected to pair Brad Binder with Phil Marron for this year, having felt like his long-standing relationship with Andres Madrid had opened the door to some complacency.

From Bagnaia’s perspective, Gabarrini has been a hugely influential figure in his MotoGP career.

Leaving Ducati after the 2025 campaign he endured, and the underwhelming start to 2026 he’s currently experiencing, is a sound move in itself to undergo a reset. And moving on from Gabarrini is a necessary part of that process.

Romagnoli staying put at Aprilia means Bagnaia is inheriting someone who’ll have two years of experience in understanding what the RS-GP needs to be ridden fast.