Marco Bezzecchi
Michael Laverty has urged Valentino Rossi to ‘take a punt’ on a rider who could be a ‘force’ for VR46.
Seven-time world champion Rossi is on the lookout for a new rider after it has been widely reported that Franco Morbidelli and Fabio Di Giannantonio will depart at the end of the 2026 MotoGP season.
Di Giannantonio is set to sign for KTM for 2027, which will see him reunite with former Gresini teammate Alex Marquez.
Meanwhile, it has been suggested that Morbidelli is set to leave VR46 and potentially without a MotoGP seat for next year.
Looking ahead, VR46 are expected to bring in Fermin Aldeguer from Gresini, with one more spot needing to be filled.
Which Italian rider should Valentino Rossi sign for VR46 in 2027?
Valentino Rossi urged to ‘take a punt’ on rider who could be a ‘force’ for VR46
So far, the likes of Luca Marini, Nicolo Bulega and Celestino Vietti have all been linked with a move to VR46.
Speaking during TNT Sports’ live broadcast of the Moto2 practice, former MotoGP rider Laverty was asked whom he would pick as Aldeguer’s teammate if he were in charge of VR46.
Laverty was asked: “Go on then, Michael, I’m going to put you in Valentino Rossi’s shoes, you’ve got to choose a rider, you know Fermin Aldeguer is coming over to your team, that’s a positive, you can pick another one. Between Celestino Vietti and Nicolo Bulega.”
In response, the Northern Irishman stated that he would ‘take a punt’ on Bulega, and claimed that the 26-year-old could be a ‘force’ on the 850cc bikes.
Laverty said: “I would go with Nicolo Bulega. I know it’s harsh on Celestino Vietti, but I think Bulega and Celestino, similar in their career path to this point, ended up in different championships.
“Just watching how Bulega raced that Panigale World Superbike on Pirelli tyres, the way he did fill in last year on the Michelins and was adapting to it.
“I think he will be a force over a full season with Pirelli rubbers on the 850, so I think I would take a punt on Nicolo.”
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Speaking ahead of the WorldSBK Aragon Round this weekend, Bulega was asked about his future.
As per Crash, he said: “We are just continuing to talk. I think my manager now is at Mugello for this weekend, so I hope to have some more news after this weekend in Mugello.”
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