Marco Bezzecchi
As Valentino Rossi and VR46 look to replace Fabio Di Giannantonio, they reportedly want to bring in an Italian rider to pair with Fermin Aldeguer.
Over the weekend, it was revealed Di Giannantonio would be signing with KTM for 2027, thus leaving VR46 and reuniting with former Gresini teammate, Alex Marquez, next season.
And with VR46 signing Fermin Aldeguer for next year, the hunt for his teammate next year is on. However, it appears Valentino Rossi has limited the search to his countrymen, preferring to sign only Italian riders for Di Giannantonio’s seat.
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VR46 find themselves in a difficult position with the rider market due to this limitation, as there aren’t many high-calibre Italian riders in MotoGP right now. This could force them to look at other divisions and leagues to find their replacement.
And it appears the team already have a few names in mind, including a possible return for one former VR46 rider who has close ties with Valentino Rossi.
READ MORE: Ducati keep losing riders like Fabio Di Giannantonio because they’re not paying enough money
VR46 considering Luca Marini and Celestino Vietti to replace Fabio Di Giannantonio
Speaking to Nico Abad, MotoGP reporter Mela Chercoles claimed that VR46 want to replace Fabio Di Giannantonio with another Italian rider.
In this context, Franco Morbidelli’s poor performances have ruled him out, leaving them with the option of bringing back Luca Marini, who Valentino Rossi is close to, or signing Celestino Vietti from Moto2’s Speed Up Racing team.
“We already know that Di Giannantonio has said yes to KTM… They (Ducati and VR46) want it to be an Italian rider. The fight, theoretically, was between Di Giannantonio and Morbidelli.
“Morbidelli was no match for Di Giannantonio, just wasn’t producing results that justify it. Another option is to move Vietti up from Moto2, which they like.
“Let’s see what happens with Luca Marini, who has been left without a place at Honda. He had an offer from Yamaha at one point, and now he has been left without a place. He is Valentino Rossi’s brother and is a good rider…”
But another rider has been linked closely to VR46 since Di Giannantonio’s exit was announced. And it appears he might be wanted by other teams as well.
READ MORE: Fabio Di Giannantonio knew he would lose ‘prominence’ at Ducati before signing with KTM for 2027
With Fabio Di Giannantonio moving to KTM, who should Valentino Rossi target?
Fermin Aldeguer is already filling one of the seats
VR46 target Nicolo Bulega seen speaking to Aprilia at Spanish Grand Prix
Speaking further on the matter, Chercoles revealed that Nicolo Bulega, who has been linked to VR46, had his manager in Jerez during the Spanish Grand Prix weekend speaking to Aprilia.
“There’s also Nicolo Bulega in Superbike, who is looking to jump to MotoGP. But not just with a Ducati. His manager was in Jerez, talking to Aprilia as well.”
Bulega has been linked to VR46 long before Di Giannantonio’s move to KTM was announced. But there is a concern that Valentino Rossi might not pull the trigger.
Rossi could delay Bulega’s arrival to MotoGP if he opts to give Luca Marini another opportunity with VR46. However, some believe Ducati, who have an agreement with Bulega, could intervene.
Of course, there is still a great deal of time before VR46 has to make a decision. But Rossi might have to consider his dynamic with Ducati when agreeing to bring in a rider to pair with Fermin Aldeguer.
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