Marco Bezzecchi
Tech3 are set to have an all-new rider pairing for 2027, but KTM’s preferences may have forced them to sign Luca Marini.
Guenther Steiner’s team look set to have two new riders for next season. Enea Bastianini is joining Trackhouse, while Maverick Vinales is likely to retire from MotoGP.
Multiple riders have been linked with the French outfit in recent months, but it has now been reported that Luca Marini is set to sign with Tech3 from Honda. However, that might not have been their initial plan.
Have Tech3 made the right decision by remaining with KTM for 2027?
KTM may have forced Tech3 to sign Luca Marini as they wanted an experienced rider
Marini hoped to stay with Honda amid rumours that Tech3 could leave KTM and give the Japanese manufacturer six bikes for 2027. But after Steiner renewed his team’s contract, the Italian had no choice but to switch bikes.
Tech3 had been assessing multiple riders for 2027, with Moto2’s Manu Gonzalez and Senna Agius being considered. It was even said that Steiner was prepared to sign them both and have two rookies, but KTM shut that down.
READ MORE: Get to know Luca Marini, from his net worth to half-brother Valentino Rossi
According to journalist Rosario Triolo, KTM wanted an experienced rider in the team alongside a rookie. Tech3 have subsequently obliged and look set to sign Marini, with one of Agius or Gonzalez likely to get the second seat.
Triolo said on his YouTube channel: “Now, however, Marini is actually close to Tech3. So, true or false: does KTM actually perhaps prefer two rookies, as I’ve read somewhere in social media posts and therefore opt for Agius and Manu Gonzalez rather than having an experienced rider like Luca Marini?
“Lie. In fact, it was Tech3 that was initially even willing to field two rookies for next year, whereas KTM prefers one of the two riders on the satellite team to be an experienced rider, in this case Luca Marini.
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“Then, of course, the choice will be made by the Tech3 team, but KTM’s preference is not for Luca Marini over Viñales or Binder or Miller or Rins – in short, those who are left out, such as Morbidelli.
“But KTM’s idea is to have one experienced rider and one rookie, so this has always clearly been the intention, the decision and the wish of KTM, and Tech3 is obviously willing to fulfil this request.”
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