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Franco Morbidelli Joins VR46 for 2025 MotoGP Season
In a significant move for the upcoming MotoGP season, VR46 has secured the services of Pramac rider Franco Morbidelli, who will team up with Fabio di Giannantonio. The one-year contract, widely anticipated, marks Morbidelli’s return to a team founded by his mentor, Valentino Rossi, a revered figure in the sport.
Morbidelli, at 29 years old, will continue to compete on the GP24 bike he currently rides for Pramac, while only di Giannantonio will have access to the upgraded factory GP25, following his recent factory contract with Ducati.
This shift comes as Morbidelli steps into the role previously held by Marco Bezzecchi, a three-time grand prix winner, who is set to race alongside championship leader Jorge Martin at Aprilia for the 2025-26 season.
Expressing his excitement about the transition, Morbidelli stated, “What a beautiful story! I am very happy to announce that I have signed with the VR46 Racing Team for the 2025 season. I will definitely feel at home here, and I really want to do well and repay this trust with good results for myself and for all the crew.” He further emphasized his gratitude towards the VR46 Riders Academy and his management team, looking forward to embarking on this new journey alongside them.
Franco Morbidelli, Pramac Racing
Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Morbidelli’s performance in the current season has seen ups and downs since making the switch from Yamaha to Ducati at the beginning of the year. He faced a setback due to an injury from a major crash during training in January, which hindered his pre-season preparation. Nevertheless, he has shown signs of recovery in recent races, notably achieving a fifth-place finish in the German Grand Prix, allowing him to climb back to 12th position in the championship and draw level on points with Bezzecchi.
Bezzecchi has struggled this season, failing to match the impressive results of his teammate di Giannantonio, who boasts 104 points compared to Bezzecchi’s 61. Meanwhile, VR46 holds fifth place in the team standings, positioned ahead of KTM’s factory squad but trailing two spots behind the other Ducati satellite team, Gresini.
Alessio Salucci, VR46’s Team Director, expressed his enthusiasm about Morbidelli’s signing, stating, “I am really happy to be able to confirm that Franco will race with the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team in 2025. Franco was the first rider to enter the VR46 Riders Academy, and we have known him for years, watching him grow in Tavullia. We are thrilled to say that he will join the crew next season. He is a rider of great talent, and we can’t wait to welcome him into our family.” Salucci also reaffirmed that Morbidelli will continue racing on the Ducati Desmosedici GP24, with confidence that he can compete with the best in the league.
This transition appears to solidify Fermin Aldeguer’s position to race for Gresini next year, where he will join Alex Marquez.
Source
www.autosport.com