Time is passing for Dylan Ferrandis. In 2026, the Frenchman is already contesting his tenth season in the United States. After spending seven years with Star Racing Yamaha, followed by a two-year stint at Phoenix Racing Honda, the four-time AMA champion is now a factory Ducati rider in America.
Ferrandis is currently tied to the Italian manufacturer on a one-year deal, and the Frenchman would like to continue the partnership into 2027. This season, Dylan has worked tirelessly to help develop Ducati’s programme, with the brand competing in its very first Supercross season. With Justin Barcia previously sidelined through injury, Ferrandis found himself carrying much of the workload and went on to finish 11th in the AMA Supercross championship. To secure an extension with Ducati for next year, he has a clear target: finish inside the top five in the final Pro Motocross championship standings. Achieving that result would activate an automatic contract extension clause.
Speaking on the latest PulpMX Show, Ferrandis admitted that at 32 years old, he has no interest in starting a new project with another team. If his partnership with Ducati comes to an end, the French rider says retirement is very much on his mind.
“If I finish in the top five of the outdoor championship, my contract will automatically be renewed for next year,” explained Dylan Ferrandis. “We’re in discussions. For me, it’s either I stay with the Ducati team or I stop. At this stage of my career and considering where I am in my life, I don’t want to make another change. The people in the team are people I’ve been working with for a few years now. They’re great, they’re passionate about the sport and we genuinely enjoy working together. I don’t really see myself, at 32 years old, changing teams, working with new people and having to build new relationships all over again. Obviously, we’re in discussions. I know they’re pretty happy with the work I’ve done on the bike. For me, it’s either I continue with Ducati or I retire.”
Ferrandis is very much still in contention to trigger that automatic extension. Now being coached by Zach Osborne, the Frenchman sits seventh in the Pro Motocross standings after the opening five rounds, just 22 points behind RJ Hampshire, who currently occupies fifth place in the championship.
Consistent since the start of the season despite one difficult outing at High Point, Ferrandis continues to prove he remains one of the strongest riders in AMA competition. Aboard the Desmo450 MX, the Ducati rider has quickly established himself as the Italian manufacturer’s leading representative in America, helping prove the credibility of Ducati’s motocross project against long-established rivals.
One issue continues to hold him back, however: his starts and opening laps. While Ferrandis has the pace to challenge at the front, he too often finds himself fighting through the field after averaging around 12th place on the opening lap of the outdoor motos this season. It is a weakness that could prove costly when the championship points are counted at the end of the year.
“I think it’s more about my opening laps. I’m not strong enough in the first few laps to get back to the front of the race, and even in the first corner. I’m not confident enough to turn in at the front and stay there. But the starts aren’t actually that bad, even if, on paper, they’re not ideal… The bike is really fast – actually too fast. I keep pushing the team to give me more power down low and take away some power at the top because it’s way, way too much [laughs]!”
Whatever happens with Ferrandis, one Ducati factory seat for 2027 has already been filled by the rider currently occupying that crucial fifth position in the championship: RJ Hampshire. A Husqvarna rider for the past seven years, Hampshire entered the rider market following the announcement that Husqvarna’s factory programme will end after the 2026 season. His future is already secured with the factory Ducati team, making it the third manufacturer he will represent since turning professional in 2015.
