The paddock rumours are now confirmed. Luca Marini will ride the Repsol team’s Honda in 2024, the very bike vacated by Marc Marquez. The Italian will no longer wear the colours of the Mooney VR46 team, brother Valentino Rossi’s squad, and will now be part of a factory line-up for the first time in his career. The announcement was made at Valencia, where the final details of the agreement were ironed out.

Marini’s possible replacement on team VR46

And so a VR46 Ducati Desmosedici GP is now up for grabs for 2024. Alongside Marco Bezzecchi, who will no doubt be aiming for the title after such a strong 2023 season. The rider who looks to be in pole position for this ride is Fabio Di Giannantonio. Having scored excellent results during the second half of the season, the Italian looks to be the obvious choice for Valentino Rossi’s team.