The notes of a symphony orchestra mixed with the synthetic rhythms of a DJ, the presentation of Valentino Rossi’s team was played on contrasts. The motorbikes were not welcomed by the track but by the stage of the Rossini theater in Pesaro. There the Doctor wanted to remove the veils from his bikes that will race in Moto2 and, for the first time, in MotoGP. After putting an end to his days as a rider (on motorcycles, because he will continue to compete but in the car), Valentino has stepped into the shoes of a team owner. A role he has held since 2014, when he decided to join a team in the world championship at the Riders Academy, his school of pilots. He started with Moto3, then moved on to Moto2 and finally the time for the premier class has arrived.
«It has been a long way since Moto3, but now we are ready to make our debut in MotoGP with a VR46 team and four young riders who I know will give their all – his message – It is the closing of a circle for me and also for all people. who in recent years have worked with so much passion on this project. At the same time it is a great debut and the beginning of a new chapter of this beautiful story in MotoGP ».
It will be an all-Italian team, starting with the riders (brother Luca Marini and rookie Marco Bezzecchi) to get to the bike, a Ducati sporting a brand new gray and black livery, illuminated by the fluorescent yellow symbol of the Doctor and the orange of the sponsor Mooney. Aesthetic details aside, speed will make the difference and Alessio “Uccio” Salucci, a longtime friend and collaborator of Valentino, has no doubts: With Luca, the podium is a realistic goal, he already has a year of experience in MotoGP and a motorcycle very competitive “. The person concerned did not hold back, on the contrary he is charged to the right point: “The level of competition in MotoGP is very high and it is good when it happens, I am sure that with this team we will be able to make a difference”. For Bezzecchi, however, it will be a year of apprenticeship, “In which I want to have fun and learn,” he guaranteed.
If they are the stars of the team, Celestino Vietti and Niccolò Antonelli will represent the future. Both will race in Moto2, for the Piedmontese it will be the second season, in which he will have to reconfirm, while for the Romagna the start of a new adventure after many years in Moto3. For everyone, the date marked in red on the calendar is Sunday 6 March, when the 2022 season of the world championship will start with the night-time Qatar Grand Prix on the Losail track.
