Marini ♑has left Rossi’s VR46 MotoGP team f🅺or his first taste of a factory bike at Repsol Honda, 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 trading in his Ducati.

But, Rossi 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♔ beautiful year,” he told Sky. 

“Our riders, o♔r rather those from the Academy, will all have very competitive bikes.

“Pecco is the world champion and will race in the factory team, Morbidelli will be on an official Ducati🍃, that of the Pramac team. 

“Bez will🦄 race with the VR46 colours and then there is Marini, who will rac🌳e 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 cla꧑ss win last season and is set to challenge among the frontrunners again.

Franco Morbidelli might be one to keep a😼n eye on because, despite 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 whic🎃h now has Rossi’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, ridingꦑ a Honda.

“They we✅re two fun days, it's a great ཧcelebration,” Rossi said.

“There are many riders of different specialties.

“The guys from our Aꦛcademy and all the top of MotoGP.&꧋nbsp;

It started well, luck🐟ily the weather was also kind."

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