ESPONSORAMA RACING BETS ON YOUNG TALENTS IN 2021

Esponsorama Racing is pleased to announce that Luca Marini and Enea Bastianini will form a team in the 2021 season in the MotoGP World Championship.

Both Italian riders, who are currently fighting for the Moto2 title since the start of the season, have shown great abilities to deserve a motorcycle in the premier class.

For the first time, Esponsorama Racing team will have in its ranks two riders of a similar level with which to continue growing as a team. The structure will feature with two Ducati GP19s with improvements throughout the season, which will allow the two young riders to fight for the title of ¨Rookie of the year¨ in the category.

RAÚL ROMERO:

“Esponsorama Racing demonstrates once again the evolution carried out in recent years, going from being the tail of the category to fighting for front positions thanks to the technical and sporting restructuring of the team added to the arrival of Johann Zarco and the evolution of Tito Rabat in recent years. Time has shown that things well done pay off and we only have words of thanks to our partners such as Ducati, Öhlins or Brembo and all our sponsors. Having Luca Marini with us next year and the structure of the SKY VR46 is a source of pride since, to this day, it is one of the strongest structures in the championship in all categories. Next year we will make a leap in quality in which we have high expectations of continuing to show that we are a benchmark team in the MotoGP World Championship ”

LUCA MARINI:

“Getting to MotoGP is the dream that every rider has had since childhood. Having this great opportunity and being able to share it with Sky Racing Team VR46, Esponsorama Racing and Ducati is even better. In these years with the team I have accumulated a lot of experience, I have grown, and I have achieved the first important results. We are in a crucial phase of the season; we will continue to work hard to reach the maximum goal before taking this big step together”

ENEA BASTIANINI:

“I am very happy to get into MotoGP with Ducati and Esponsorama Racing. Now I have to concentrate on finishing the season, since I would like to go up as World Champion although I know it will not be easy. The following season, several riders made the leap to MotoGP, we started a new adventure together with the fastest riders in the world in which I think that together with the team I will be able to achieve good results”

More, from a press release issued by Ducati:

Enea Bastianini and Luca Marini will be the two Ducati riders of the Esponsorama Racing team in 2021

Ducati Corse is pleased to announce that it has reached an agreement with the Esponsorama Racing team and riders Enea Bastianini and Luca Marini, thanks to which the two young Italian riders will make their debut in MotoGP in 2021 with the Ducati Desmosedici GP bikes entrusted to the Andorra team.

Born in Rimini in 1997, Enea Bastianini participated in his first season in Moto3 in 2014 after two victories in the Rookies Cup in 2013. In his debut year in the World Championship, Enea conquered three podiums taking his first victory the following year together with other five podium finishes and ending third in the overall standings his second season in the class.  2016 Moto3 runner-up in the Championship with six additional podiums to his credit, including one victory, the rider from Romagna raced two more seasons in this class picking up several successes. In 2019, Enea stepped up to Moto2 taking his first podium in Brno, Czech Republic. In the current season, in his second year in the intermediate class, Enea has so far scored three wins and seven podiums and is fighting for the title: he occupies the second position in the overall standings, just 7 points behind the championship leader.

Luca Marini, born in Urbino in 1997, joined Moto2 in 2016 after having distinguished himself in Moto3 in the Italian and Spanish Championships. After two seasons of apprenticeship, Luca joined the SKY Racing Team VR46 in 2018, and took his first victory, together with four other podiums and two pole positions. The rider from Marche continued with the same team in Moto2 the following year, adding two more victories and four podiums to his tally. This year Marini has so far achieved three wins and five podiums in total and, with 155 points, occupies the third position in the Championship, just 23 points from the top of the standings.

Luigi Dall’Igna, Ducati Corse General Manager:

“We are very pleased to have reached this agreement thanks to which two young Italian talents will be able to make their debut in MotoGP next year on our Desmosedici GP bikes entrusted to the Esponsorama Racing team. This year Raul Romero’s team has shown that it has reached an excellent level of professionalism. Thanks to the renewed technical support that we will provide to the Andorra team in 2021, we are sure that it will support Enea and Luca in the best possible way in their first rookie season. Both Bastianini and Marini have shown to be highly competitive in Moto2 this year, and we are sure that the time has come for them to move up to MotoGP. We will provide them with all the necessary support to accompany them on their way to the top category. With this decision, Ducati intends to continue with its strategy to enhance the young talents, that has already led Pecco Bagnaia to make his debut in MotoGP with Pramac Racing in 2019 and to reach an important goal for 2021: to wear the colours of the official Ducati team”.

Enea Bastianini:

“Racing in MotoGP is a dream come true for me, and I’m happy to be able to do it with Ducati, of which I’ve been a big fan since the days of my idol Casey Stoner. It will undoubtedly be an important step that will push me to grow a lot, and I would like to move up as the Moto2 World Champion, even if it will not be easy. I want to thank my family for all the support they have given me since I was a child and my manager Carlo Pernat. I would also like to thank Ducati and the Esponsorama Racing team for the trust they have in me: I will try not to disappoint them!

Luca Marini:

“Having this great opportunity to race in MotoGP in 2021 is a dream come true for me, it’s the desire that every rider has had since childhood. In these years with Sky Racing Team VR46 I have accumulated a lot of experience, and thanks to them, I have grown and achieved my first important results. Now we are in a crucial phase of the Moto2 season, and we will continue to work hard to reach our maximum goal, before embarking on this exciting new adventure together with Ducati and the Esponsorama Racing team”.

More, from a press release issued by Sky Racing VR46:

New rider line up in Moto2: newly-promoted CELESTINO VIETTI RAMUS will share the pit with MARCO BEZZECCHI on Kalex 

Valencia, November 2020 – 2021 will be a year full of news with Luca Marini debuting in MotoGP thanks to the agreement signed with Ducati: he will compete in the colors of the Sky Racing Team VR46 within the Esponsorama Racing Team. New rider line up in Moto2: it has been confirmed that Marco Bezzecchi will race in Moto2 and will thus share the pit with Celestino Vietti Ramus, promoted to the new class. Sky Racing Team VR46 is confirming and stepping up its commitment alongside the young Italian riders as in the next season it will be focusing on three riders and two classes, Moto2 and MotoGP, with the great news of the team’s debut in the top class.

MOTOGP – With Luca Marini the promise to support the young Italian motorcycling talents is once again fulfilled. Luca will be riding the Ducati Desmosedici GP of the Esponsorama Racing Team with the colors of the Sky-VR46 duo and will bring with him in the top class some of the members of his current technical crew. For the second time since its birth (the first in 2018 with the Moto2 title won by Francesco Bagnaia), the Team born from the synergy between Sky and VR46 reaches one of its main goal with Luca Marini set to compete in MotoGP after an intense training and growth path. Considering the World Championship, the Spanish Championship and the CIV, over 10 riders took their first steps into the Circus with the colors of the Sky Racing Team VR46. Currently third in the Moto2 standings, Luca will be the second rider who grew up in the orbit of Sky and the VR46 Riders Academy to move up to MotoGP following Francesco Bagnaia, who won the world title with the Team in 2018.

MOTO2 – The effort of the Sky Racing Team VR46 in the intermediate class has been confirmed, with Marco Bezzecchi ready to get back on the track among the protagonists. Currently fourth in the standings and with five podiums achieved this season, Marco will share the pit with Celestino Vietti Ramus, rookie in the class. Celestino, with the Team since the CEV and from 2018 in Moto3, will continue his growth path with the same team. Well-established partnership also with Kalex: the German factory will supply the technical material also in 2021.

Alessio Salucci, VR46 Riders Academy and Sky Racing Team VR46 

“Announcing that another rider of ours and of the Sky Racing Team VR46 will move up to MotoGP makes us so proud. Together with Sky, with whom we started this extraordinary adventure in 2014, in recent years we have given a decisive boost in favor of Italian motorcycling. Today, thanks to the agreement with Esponsorama Racing Team and Ducati, Luca Marini and the Sky Racing Team VR46 will be able to race in the top class, which from next year will thus be relying on the talent of another Italian promise. It is a great opportunity for the whole Team, but also a decisive moment for the rider’s future and for our entire motorcycle movement. I’m sure we have a spectacular 2021 ahead of us”.

Pablo Nieto, Team Manager Sky Racing Team VR46 

“For those who have been part of this project since 2014, MotoGP has always been a dream. After being alongside Bagnaia in his path to the top class in 2019, we are about to watch him compete in 2021 in the colors of an official factory while reaching a similar goal with Marini and the Sky Racing Team VR46. We decided to put ourselves to the test along with Esponsorama Racing and Ducati, whom we ensured our trust and maximum support. We also expect a lot from Moto2, with Bezzecchi among the fastest and most talented riders in the class and Vietti Ramus as a rookie”.

Paolo Ciabatti, Ducati Corse Sporting Director 

“We are very pleased to have signed this agreement with Esponsorama Racing and Sky Racing Team VR46 thanks to which Luca Marini will be able to make his MotoGP debut in 2021. Luca has proven to be one of the fastest and most competitive riders in Moto2 and Ducati will give to him all the necessary support in his first year as a rookie in the top class. With this decision Ducati wants to continue its strategy for enhancing the young talents that has already led Pecco Bagnaia, who also grew up in the Sky Racing Team VR46, to make his debut in MotoGP with Pramac Racing in 2019 and to reach an important milestone for 2021 to compete with the colors of the Ducati official Team”.

Raul Romero, Esponsorama Racing Team 

“With the agreement signed today, the technical and sporting restructuring of the Esponsorama Racing Team continues: in the recent years, from being the tail light of the category to fighting for the positions that matter thanks to Johann Zarco and the important grow path made by Tito Rabat. Over time we have shown that work pays off and we have to thank our partners such as Ducati, Öhlins, Brembo together with all our sponsors. We are so proud to welcoming Luca Marini to the Team next year together with the SKY Racing Team VR46, one of the strongest and most solid Teams in the Championship. We have high expectations for this great breakthrough, our goal is to continue to demonstrate that we are a reference Team in the MotoGP World Championship”.

THE RIDERS 

LUCA MARINI 

“Competing in MotoGP is every rider’s dream. Having this great opportunity and being able to share it with the Sky Racing Team VR46, Esponsorama Racing and Ducati is even better. In these years with the Team I have gained experience, I have grown and I have achieved the first important results. We are in a crucial phase of the season, we will continue to work hard to reach the maximum goal before making this big step together”.

CELESTINO VIETTI RAMUS 

“Competing in Moto2 with the Sky Racing Team VR46 is a great opportunity. I am very happy to share another key moment in my career with this Team. Marco is a lifelong friend, it will be nice to work together and Luca is an example to follow”.

MARCO BEZZECCHI 

“I am very happy for Luca, he has proven to be ready for MotoGP. I am also happy with my new teammate because Celestino is my lifelong friend. Since I joined the Sky Racing Team VR46 I have regained the confidence I was hoping for, I’m sure we will have fun in 2021”.

FIVE YAMAHA MOTOGP GROUP MEMBERS RETIRE FROM THE EUROPEAN AND VALENCIA GP

Valencia (Spain), 6th November 2020

Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. and Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP regret to announce that five staff members, including Team Director Massimo Meregalli, will be unable to further take part in this weekend‘s European GP and next week‘s Valencia GP.

STATEMENT

Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. and Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP regret to announce that five staff members, including Team Director Massimo Meregalli, will be sitting out this weekend‘s Gran Premio de Europa and next week‘s Gran Premio Comunitat Valenciana.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

– The Yamaha Factory Racing MotoGP group follow very strict Covid-19 protocols. By its own initiative, the group has a mandatory additional PCR done by all the members of staff, including the riders, every Friday during race weekends.

– In the afternoon of Friday 6th November, one of the team members working in Maverick Viñales‘ crew tested positive for Covid-19. He immediately left the Ricardo Tormo circuit and has started the self-isolation required by the MotoGP official protocol.

– After a thorough risk analysis, four additional team members, who tested negative on Friday 6th November but are deemed at risk of contagion, will go into quarantine until Monday 16th November.

– None of the five members will be replaced for the European GP. The four team members who tested negative, including Team Director Meregalli, will remain in close contact with the team at the Ricardo Tormo track to offer their best support to the staff present at the track.

– Due to the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP team‘s strictness in adhering to Covid-19 precautionary measures both inside and outside the track, none of the other staff are deemed to be at risk, nor are riders Maverick Viñales and Valentino Rossi. That said, all members will increase their vigilance and increased PCR tests will be scheduled.

Despite the obvious inconveniences caused by this latest challenge, the team‘s racing endeavours will continue relying on the collaboration and positive spirit of the Yamaha MotoGP organisation.

MIXED EUROPEAN GP FRIDAY FOR MONSTER ENERGY YAMAHA MOTOGP

Valencia (Spain), 6th November 2020

GRAND PRIX OF EUROPE

FREE PRACTICE

Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP’s Maverick Viñales and Valentino Rossi‘s replacement rider Garrett Gerloff returned to action in this afternoon‘s Gran Premio de Europa FP2 session. The duo ended the Friday in 11th and 19th place respectively in the combined free practice results.

LOCAL TIME: GMT+1

AIR TEMPERATURE: °C

TRACK TEMPERATURE: °C

WEATHER: / HUMIDITY %

11th MAVERICK VIÑALES 1’33.410 / 40 (19 + 21) LAPS

19th GARRETT GERLOFF 1’34.107 / 41 (21+20) LAPS

After a wet start to the Gran Premio de Europa, Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP’s Maverick Viñales and Valentino Rossi‘s replacement rider Garrett Gerloff enjoyed some drier track time at the Circuito de la Comunitat Valenciana – Ricardo Tormo in this afternoon‘s FP2 session. They ended the day in 11th and 19th place respectively in the combined free practice rankings.

Viñales knows he will have to start Sunday’s GP from pit lane and fully focused on race set-up rather than one-lap pace in FP2. Numerous yellow flags impeded the possibilities of setting a fast lap. He wrapped up the day just outside the top 10, in 11th position, with a best time of 1‘33.410s, set on lap 21/21, 0.882s from the top in both the FP2 and combined free practice results.

Gerloff already showed a strong pace in the wet session in the morning and was excited to take a further step in the afternoon. The Yamaha rider put his head down, this time experiencing the Michelin slicks for the first time. He impressed by briefly riding the M1 to a provisional top-5 placement in the second half of the session. He ultimately ended his MotoGP debut with a 1’34.107s best time, set on lap 16/20. His effort earned him 19th place in the FP2 and combined timesheets, 1.579s from first.

Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. and the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team are delighted to confirm that Rossi‘s second PCR test also came back negative this afternoon. He has been reunited with his crew and will be taking part in the remaining sessions of the European GP.

Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. and the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team want to sincerely thank Gerloff for his enthusiasm, professionalism, and astounding effort while stepping in for Rossi.

MASSIMO MEREGALLI

TEAM DIRECTOR

It wasn’t the best first day for our team. Maverick was feeling good with the bike in the morning. However, in the afternoon he wasn’t feeling so great. Though he didn‘t push to the limit because it was still mixed out on track. The riding conditions are expected to be much better tomorrow. The goal this weekend is to work non-stop on the race set-up to give Maverick the best possible chance for Sunday, even though he‘s starting from pit lane because we are using a sixth engine, beyond his allocation.

Garrett really impressed us today! When you take into account that he has never ridden at this track before, has no experience with the YZR-M1 and all the technical aspects that come with it, nor with the Michelin tyres, it really shows great riding on his part. The track was very slippery today, but he seemed to take to it very well.

We did get some good news today. Valentino tested negative again, so he will be riding his M1 for the rest of the weekend. Of course the whole team is relieved and very happy to have him back with us. But once again we want to say a big ’Thank you‘ to Garrett for his enthusiasm and professionalism while stepping in for Vale.

MAVERICK VIÑALES

We’ve been managing the races with the engines we had left after we sealed one in Jerez. But before coming here, we saw that the last one I had left in my allocation was a bit damaged and we decided that it wouldn’t be safe to use it. If I did, we would risk putting oil on the track, and other riders could have had a big crash because of it. So we decided to put safety first and put in a new engine. We know I will have to start the race from pit lane because of this, but there’s nothing we can do about it. For sure it makes the fight for the title harder, but anything can happen in MotoGP. We’ll see. I’ll keep an open mind for this weekend. I don’t want to put a limit on myself. We’ll see if we can take away something positive from this GP.

GARRETT GERLOFF

STANDBY REPLACEMENT RIDER

The M1 is quite a bit different from the superbike. The M1 is basically the R1, but at another level. But it’s still a very friendly bike to ride. It wasn’t too much of an animal, but it was definitely superfast. The tyres were amazing, especially this morning in the wet, and even later when the track was a little bit more half-and-half, I still felt pretty confident going over the wet areas with the slicks. All in all, it was just an amazing experience. It was unreal coming back after the second session and seeing Valentino right there and saying ‘Hey, awesome job, man!’ I mean, that is something that dreams are made of, you know? So, I’m super happy to have been able to do it and just a big thanks to Yamaha for giving me the opportunity.