Marco Bezzecchi will remain within the VR46 Ducati team’s ranks for the 2024 MotoGP term, thus likely foregoing a ’24-specification Desmosedici as a result due to snubbing a Pramac switch.
The Italian was tipped to move to official satellite Ducati squad Pramac Racing during the summer break as the manufacturer was keen to add the two-time premier class race winner to its full-factory roster on an up-to-date machine next season in place of Johann Zarco, though Bezzecchi favoured to remain within the VR46 fold on a ’24-spec Ducati instead.
With Ducati steadfast in its intentions to not provide a fifth factory machine alongside the two that make up its official operation as well as Pramac’s pair, Bezzecchi had to choose between the close-knit, family-like team built up by seven-time premier class world champion and mentor Valentino Rossi on a year-old bike, or move to pastures new with Pramac.
VR46 announced on Wednesday morning though that Bezzecchi will remain with the team alongside Luca Marini – although the latter’s extension has not yet been 100% confirmed – for 2024, though the outfit’s statement made no concrete mention of the bike he will be campaigning.
Bezzecchi says that being able to remain in the surrounding in which he climbing through the ranks in Moto3, Moto2 and then into MotoGP is “the most natural choice for me”, and that remaining in the squad owned by Rossi is a source of “great motivation and pride.”
“I am really happy to confirm that in 2024 I will be on track with the Mooney VR46 Racing team, this team has been crucial to my career until now and into the future,” said Bezzecchi.
“I arrived here in 2020, in Moto2, we then landed together in 2022 in MotoGP and this year we had an incredible season so far.
“Continuing to grow in this working group, with the support of Ducati, is the most natural choice for me.
“2024 brings with it many expectations, but right now I want to focus on this season.
“Thanks to Vale, Uccio, Pablo, the VR46 Riders Academy and all those who made this possible, remaining in the Vale Team is a great motivation as well as a pride”
Bezzecchi’s decision to remain with VR46 – as well as Zarco’s choice to switch to the Honda camp with satellite outfit LCR for next year – leaves a coveted seat with a full-factory Desmosedici free for next year.
It’s widely expected that Yamaha refugee Franco Morbidelli will land there due to Ducati Sporting Director Paolo Ciabatti expressing the marque’s interest on seeing him astride one of its machines in 2024 ahead of the British Grand Prix earlier this month while speaking to MotoGP.com.
