Marini, who has already made his Honda debut during this morning’s Valencia test, quickl⛄y became the favourite when Honda failed to convince Mಞaverick Vinales and Miguel Oliveira to join the factory team.

Marini’s decision to join Honda means lea🐻ving behindও Ducati who have the most complete package on the grid. 

• FIRST LOOK: Marc Marquez on a Ducati, Luca Marini at Honda,🌄 Acosta in MotoGP 
• Vale꧋꧑ncia MotoGP test: LIVE UPDATES as Marc Marquez makes Ducati debut

Speaking to MotoGP.com, Repsol Honda Team Manager Alberto P꧃ui𝐆g gave his thoughts on the Marini signing: “He was the first guy with his group that approached us after the news that Marc went out, so we were approached by them and it’s interesting. 

“Honestly, thඣere were not so many options because most riders were more-or-less all sꦯettled in their own teams. 

“He had the possibility to do it and hiꦍs progression has been good in the last few years. 

“We studied his progression and decided it could be a good o🐽ption given the circumstances.”

Able to bring experience and data from Ducati, Marini’s addition to Honda could be invaluable, especially with Johan﷽n Zarco also joining LCR from Pramac Ducati.

Needing t💙o turn their fortunes around very soon, Puig is looking forward to counting on the Italian’s experience.  

Puig said: “It’s very important! The first thing and what is our priority at the moment is to develop our bike.ꦍౠ 

“We are far from were we have to be and this is clear. Our priority is to make a step in the deve🎀lopment of our bike for next season and bey🔴ond. 

“We are try🧸ing to make a new team, a new structure and new organisation that will help this development.”