RiderTua.com – Valentino Rossi and his students at VR46 practice on the ‘Circuito Minimoto’ kart track in San Mauro Mare near Cesena, Italy. As a mentor, he never misses participating in ‘duels’ against his students.
Pecco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo), Franco Morbidelli (Prima Pramac Racing), Marco Bezzecchi (Pertamina Enduro VR46) as well as Moto2 riders Celestino Vietti and Andrea Migno took part in training, except for his younger brother Luca Marini (Repsol Honda) who has so far completed the first two series an unsatisfactory 2023 season with Repsol Honda which is still problematic. Unlike his three academy colleagues who use the best motorbike on the track, namely the Ducati, Luca Marini had to struggle to develop the RC213V motorbike.
Four VR46 Students Spread Across Four Different Teams
After the Portuguese GP, there is a 2 week break before the American GP at COTA Texas (12-14 March). Rossi wants his students to stay fit to face the long season by holding intensive training.
BTW, motocross expert and VR46 coach Bryan Toccaceli also took part in the training which was held in the go-kart area near the main road. “We want to keep the racers enthusiastic,” explained Rossi.
Now perhaps Rossi’s dream has almost been achieved perfectly, sending his students and spreading them to various different teams, is a matter of pride in itself. However, in the future we have to see how the regeneration of the Tavullia academy will proceed. It seems that young Italian racers should be added, because many good Spanish riders have emerged…
Meanwhile, MotoGP fans continue to discuss on a forum the clash that occurred between Marc Marquez vs Pecco Bagnaia in the main Portimao race. Even though many people blamed Pecco (Marquez even previously said that Pecco should not have been so reckless just to fight for 2 points), quite a few fans in Italy thought that Baby Alien had returned to the ideal racing line too quickly.
