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Álex Márquez and Di Giannantonio Back KTM Move as Career's Best Call

Both Álex Márquez and Fabio Di Giannantonio have spoken openly about their decisions to join KTM, with each rider describing the switch as the right move for their careers.

MotoGP Correspondent · · 2 min read
Two MotoGP riders in racing leathers standing beside a KTM RC16 motorcycle in a paddock garage
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Two Riders, One Conclusion: KTM Was the Right Call

Álex Márquez and Fabio Di Giannantonio have both addressed their moves to KTM, and the message from each rider is strikingly similar. Speaking publicly about their respective decisions, the two MotoGP competitors said the switch to the Austrian manufacturer represented the best available path for their careers going forward.

The KTM move has been a talking point across the paddock. For Márquez, the younger brother of eight-time world champion Marc Márquez, the decision came after his time with Gresini Racing on a Ducati. For Di Giannantonio, known in the paddock as Diggia, the move also follows a Ducati-mounted stint. That both riders landed at KTM after competitive spells on one of the grid's strongest machines makes their endorsement of the switch all the more notable.

According to reporting by autohebdof1.com, both riders used strong language to describe their confidence in the decision, with the phrase "best solution for my career" attached to the move.

What the Switch Means for Each Rider

For Álex Márquez, joining KTM represents a chance to step out from the long shadow that inevitably follows the Márquez name and build something independently. His results at Gresini showed genuine pace, with podium finishes demonstrating he belongs at the sharp end of the field. The KTM project gives him a factory-level environment with a manufacturer that has proven it can win grands prix and fight for championships.

Di Giannantonio's situation carries its own weight. Diggia had shown flashes of real speed during his time on Ducati machinery, and there were questions about whether he would find a competitive seat given the depth of talent fighting for premier class positions. Landing a KTM deal answered those questions directly. His own comments echoed Márquez's sentiment, framing the move as a deliberate and positive choice rather than a fallback option.

KTM itself has been through a turbulent period, dealing with financial restructuring and uncertainty around the brand's long-term MotoGP commitment. The fact that two riders of this profile publicly backed the project carries significance beyond personal career planning. It signals that the manufacturer retains credibility and appeal within the rider market.

KTM's Rider Lineup Takes Shape

The additions of Márquez and Di Giannantonio slot into a KTM structure that continues to evolve. The manufacturer operates across its factory team and the satellite Tech3 entry, giving it multiple bikes on the grid. Both riders bring Ducati experience, which could prove useful as KTM works to close the development gap with the Italian manufacturer that has dominated recent seasons.

Ducati's stranglehold on MotoGP results has forced rival manufacturers to rethink their approaches, and KTM has been among the most aggressive in pursuing competitive improvements to its RC16. Having riders who know what a championship-contending bike feels like could accelerate that feedback loop in meaningful ways.

The rider market heading into the next MotoGP season has been among the most active in years, with high-profile moves across multiple teams reshaping the grid. Márquez and Di Giannantonio landing at KTM is one of the more discussed elements of that reshaping, and their confident public statements suggest neither man has any reservations about the path chosen.

Whether KTM can reward that confidence with race wins and consistent front-running results remains the real test. The riders have committed. Now the machinery has to deliver.

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Luca Moretti

MotoGP Correspondent

Luca Moretti is 21.fun's MotoGP correspondent, following the championship from free practice to the podium with an eye for race strategy and tech.

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