Marco Bezzecchi has decided to stay with Valentino Rossi’s team for 2024 – So he will continue to ride a Ducati from last year
Marco Bezzecchi will continue to race for Valentino Rossi’s VR46 team in the 2024 MotoGP season. Before the Grand Prix of Barcelona, the team announced the further cooperation for one year. This means that it is clear that the Italian has decided against a move to Pramac-Ducati.
For weeks Bezzecchi has expressed the desire that he would like to get an actual factory bike next year. Ideally in the VR46 team. But Ducati has stated that this possibility is not feasible.
The distribution of motorbikes will remain the same in the future. The factory team and Pramac will continue to receive the latest Desmosedici. The satellite teams VR46 and Gresini have to ride with last year’s model.
In the case of a switch to Pramac, Ducati would also have given Bezzecchi the option of taking his crew chief Matteo Flamigni with him in order to have a familiar person at his side. But in the end Bezzecchi decided to stay completely in the family environment.
Thus, he will continue to ride last year’s model next year, specifically Francesco Bagnaia’s GP23, which is currently very successful. “This team was crucial for my career,” Bezzecchi says, explaining his motives for the extension.
“I joined VR46 in 2020 in Moto2. We then ended up in MotoGP together in 2022 and this year we’ve had an incredible season so far. To continue to grow in this group, together with the support of Ducati, is the logical choice for me.”
“2024 brings a lot of expectations, but for now I want to focus on this season. Staying with the ‘Vale’ team is a great motivation and a great source of pride.” VR46 is also currently fighting for the lead in the team standings.
This team structure and the atmosphere were more decisive for Bezzecchi than switching to a current factory bike and to another racing team. Because even between races, you spend a lot of time together in Italy.
“The human aspect of a working group,” emphasises team manager Pablo Nieto, “is always a crucial aspect to consider. For this reason, we did our best to agree with Marco on a contract extension for another year.”
“The signing of this contract fills me with great pride, which I can share with all the team staff, with ‘Vale’, ‘Uccio’, Ducati, who will support us as much as possible, and our partners who make this possible.”
Bezzecchi is currently contesting his second MotoGP season for Rossi’s team. He celebrated his first major successes with victories in Argentina and France. In addition, there were podium finishes in Portugal, the Netherlands and Austria this year. Bezzecchi also won the sprint in Assen and is third in the World Championship at the halfway point of the season.