Marini has left Rossi’s VR46 MotoGP team for his first taste of a factory bike at Repsol H𒉰onda, as Marc Marquez’s replacement.

Although the switch allows Marini to walk in Rossi’s footsteps at Honda and to call himself a factory rider, he has taken a risk by tradi🦩ng in his Ducati.

But, Rossi has suggested that all four VR46 Academy graduates wi🔯ll be equipped with bikes that wi🦄ll enable them to fight - even Marini’s Honda, a bike which last year was MotoGP's worst.

“2024 pꦆromises to be a beautiful year,” he told Sky. 

“Our riders, or rather those from the Academy, will all have very comp⛦etitive bikes.

“Pecco is the world champion and will race in the factory team, Morbidelli will be on an official Ducati, that of the Pr☂amac team.&n♕bsp;

“Bez will race with the VRཧ46 colours and then there is Marini, who will race with the Honda.”

Francesco Bagnaia became the first-ever VR🎃46 Academy graduate to win the MotoGP championship in 2022, and is now seeking a third title in a row.

Marco Bezzecchi claimed the VR46 team’s fꦛirst premier class win l꧒ast season and is set to challenge among the frontrunners again.

Franco Morbidelli might be one to keep an eye on because, despite Yamaha wanti♊ng rid of him, he has ended up gaining a far superior bike, the same machinery as Bagnaia.

And Marini✨, of course, is spearheading Honda’s intended revival which now has Rossi’🍃s backing.

100km of Champions victory for Rossi and Marini

Rossi and Mariℱni won the 100km of Champions at the weekend at the Ranch.

Marini also won the ‘Americana’ race at the same event, ri𒊎ding a Hond🏅a.

“They were two f🐈un days, it's a great celebration,” Rossi said.

“There are many riders of different specialties.

“The guys from our Academy and all the top of Mo💮toGP. 

It started well, luckily𝓰 the weather was also ꦰkind."

Rossi will be🤪 back racing on four wheels, driving a BMW,🌳 at the Bathurst 12 Hours on February 18.