Marini, who has already made his Honda debut during this morning’s Valencia test, quickly became the favourite when Honda failed to convince Maverick Vinales and M🦩iguel Oliveira to join thꦐe factory team.

Marini’s decision to join Honda means le๊aving behind Duꦕcati who have the most complete package on the grid. 

• FIRST LOOK: Marc Marquez on a Ducati, Luca Marini a꧂t Hoꦐnda, Acosta in MotoGP 
• Valencia♓ MotoGP test: LIVE UPDATES as Marc Mar🍸quez makes Ducati debut

Speaking to MotoGP.com, Repso𒈔l Honda Team Manager Alberto Puig 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 interestinওg. 

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

“He had the possibility to do it and his pr♐ogression has been good ▨in the last few years. 

“We studied his progres💮sion and decided it could be a good option given the circumstances.”

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

Needing to turn their fortunes around very soon, Puig is looking forward to countin✨g on the Italian’s experience.  

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

“We are far from were we have to be and this is clear.♊ Our priority 💮is to make a step in the development of our bike for next season and beyond. 

“We⭕ are trying to make a new team, a new structure and new organisation that will help this developme🍌nt.”