Moto3 and Moto2: (almost) all the Italians seek a new ride for 2023

With just seven races still to run this season, the market is about to reach boiling point, both in MotoGP and Moto2 and Moto3. Many of the riders in the minor categories are still to put pen to paper for 2023, and these include a number of Italians.

With some looking to change their fortunes with a new team and others keen to ride the wave following a solid 2022, many competitors prepare to change garages ahead of next season, and this could shake things up for the Italian contingent. 

Moto3: only Nepa is safe

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In the cadet class, the only Italian to have already secured his ride for 2023 is Stefano Nepa, who renewed his contract with team MTA earlier this month, the squad clearly focusing on continuity after also confirming Ivan Ortolà.

The opposite is true of team Snipers, which currently fields Andrea Migno and Alberto Surra, both of whom are destined for a change of air. Migno is seeking another ride in the same category, but opportunities are scarce right now, while Surra has other plans, largely due to the fact that he is not physically built for Moto3. Ideally, he’d like to move to Moto2, but if a seat fails to materialise, Alberto may switch to Supersport. Riccardo Rossi could take the place of one or other of the riders, as he leaves Team Sic58 along with Lorenzo Fellon.

Elia Bartolini and Matteo Bertelle will also leave their current squad, albeit for different reasons. Rumour has it that team Avintia may be on the verge of closing, to be substituted or absorbed by team Monlau, which competed in the championship until 2021 – with Estrella Galicia as title sponsor – and is now ready to make a return. A shake up that leaves the two Italians desperately seeking an alternative, which is particularly complicated for Bertelle, unable to ride for the rest of the season after injuring his left leg in Germany.

Another man ready for a new adventure is Dennis Foggia, who is likely to move up a category. The Roman rider looks set to move to Moto2, taking the place of Lorenzo Dalla Porta in team Italtrans. And let’s not forget Luca Lunetta – in the sights of Snipers - and Filippo Farioli, competing in the Rookies Cup and JuniorGP, who are currently looking to enter the world championship.

Several riders in the intermediate class are in a similar position, but these names do not include Celestino Vietti. Regardless of how his season concludes, “Celin” will remain with team VR46, to be absorbed by Fantic next year, while Niccolò Antonelli will not be confirmed. The Italian’s future may lie in Supersport, a move that fellow countryman Lorenzo Baldassarri and Nicolò Bulega have already made.

Tony Arbolino is likely to stick with team Marc VDS, having already won a race this year, while the future looks rather different for Lorenzo Dalla Porta and Simone Corsi. The former, who is set to leave Italtrans, seeks a last-minute solution that might allow him to remain in the category and demonstrate his true worth, having overcome shoulder problems. If this is not possible, he may return to Moto3. For Corsi on the other hand, this might be his last season in the world championship.

And lastly, Alessandro Zaccone, whose future is still to be written. Having debuted with team Gresini this season, it is possible that they will continue on together next season, but the difficulties that both team and rider have experienced could also lead to a parting of ways. In that case, yet another Italian would be in search of an alternative solution, but, as we’ve said, the available positions appear very thin on the ground.

Traslated by Heather Watson

Ducati, only Bagnaia has conquered the MotoGP “primadonna”