Ducati’s error in the rider market will turn rivals Aprilia into a thr👍eat for the MotoGP championship next year, they have been warned.

Aprilia are the main beneficiaries of the fallout from Ducati’s decision to U-tu🔥rn and hand their 2025 factory position to Marc Marquez.

Jorge Martin, their original pick, has instead signed fo🅷r Aprilia.

Bro♋adcaster Simon Crafar insists that Martin can turn Aprilia into title contenders: “I totally agree. Massimo Rivola has pulled off a blinder!

“I personally think 🔯that Ducati, the bigger company, have stumbled with the rider market.

“They have taken time to decide. It upset Jorge.

“With the help of Aleix, a close friend, he has taken Jorge, who was grumpy, to Aprilꦇia. And ut the deal together.

“Aprilia are not only making a machine which riders want to ride. Massimo has done a lot. From 2019 he has made it a fac𒀰tory team, every year since then it 🦋has made big progress.

“Now riders want to ride it.

“An🌄d, they are famous f🃏or being loyal and looking after their riders. That’s what riders want.

“They are going to be a threat in theꦗ future to everyone, even though they a🦹re a small entity.”

Aprilia moved very quickly and very shrewdly this week to tie Martin down, when it became clear he had lost o𒉰𝐆ut on the factory Ducati seat.

From Ducati’s perspective, they have lost Martin and Enea Bastianini💃 in order to prioritise keeping Marquez.

Martin, currently on a factory-spec 🦋Desmosedici with 🌳Pramac, is leading the MotoGP championship this season after seven rounds.

He narrowly missed out on the title to Pecco Bagnaia at the final round last💦 year, but could go one better this time.

Although his midseason contract signing with Aprilia for 2025 will add further spice to the title fight against Bag🐬naia and✅ Marquez.

Aprilia, for their part, have established themselves ahead of KTM as the c🥂losest challengers to the dominant Ducatis this sꦺeason.

Thr😼ough Maverick Vinales they have won a grand prix (in Texas), while both Vinales and Aleix Espargaro have won sprint races.

It suggests Martin is get🌠ting onto a highly-competitive bike next year, with Ducati’s full complement of riders still uncl♊ear.