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

Although the switch allows Marini to walk in Ro🔯ssi’s footsteps at Honda and to call himself a factory𓆉 rider, he has taken a risk by trading in his Ducati.

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

“2024✨ promises to be a beaut🙈iful year,” he told Sky. 

“Our rid♋ers, or rather those from the Academy, will all have very competitive bi🍃kes.

“Pecco is the world champion and will rac💛e in the factory team, Morbidelli will be on an official Ducati, that of the Pra♚mac team. 

“Bez will race with the VR46 colours and then there is Marini,ꦺ who will race with the Honda.”

Francesco Bagnaia became the first-ever VR46 Academy gradua🌳te to win the MotoGP championship in 2022, and is now seeking a third title in a row.

Marco Bezzecchi claimed the VR46 team’s first premier class win last season and is set to challenge among the fr📖ontrunners again.

Franco Morbidelli might be one to k🌺eep an eye on because, des🦩pite Yamaha wanting 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 Ro🍷ssi’s backing.

100km of Champions victory for Rossi and Marini

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

Marini also 🔥won the ‘Americana’ race at the same event, riding a Ho๊nda.

“They were ꧂two fun days, it's a great celebration,” ꦑRossi said.

“There are many riders of different specialties.

“The guys🌺 from our Academy and all the top of MotoGP.&n❀bsp;

It started well, luckily the weather was♓ also kind."

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