Marco Bezzecchi will remain with the VR46 Ducati outfit for his sophomore MotoGP campaign in 2023, the Italian outfit announced on Thursday morning.
VR46 confirmed that Bezzecchi’s original deal he signed to move up to the premier class for this year was for two years, giving him a further season to develop and nurture his talent with a view to further future success.
It was not disclosed which specification of Desmosedici he would receive in his second full season, Bezzecchi currently running a year-old 2021 version of the machine while team-mate Luca Marini – who is also expected to be confirmed as staying with the team soon – is enjoying a current-spec bike.
Bezzecchi says he is “proud” to continue flying the VR46 colors in 2023, and that he is looking forward to what the team can achieve in what will only be its second season as a fully-fledged operation next year.
“I’m so happy to confirm and announce that, the agreement I signed last year was for two years, so in 2023 I will continue riding for the Mooney VR46 Racing Team on the Ducati!,” said Bezzecchi in VR46’s social media statement announcing his continuation within the squad.
“I’m proud to wear and represent the colors of the VR46 family, Vale and the Valentino Rossi Riders Academy that has been always supporting me, together with the team and personal partners.
“The technical and mechanical staff group we created these years is full new, rookie in all of the aspects with technicians coming from Moto2 and other with new roles, but we are completely satisfied with what we’ve achieved so far.
“We keep focus on this 2022 season, trying to finish this first year in MotoGP with the best result, before starting to face the next season.”
Bezzecchi currently sits 14th in the riders standings with six races still to run as the highest-placed rookie, the Italian’s 68 points haul nearly three-times that of next-best newcomer Fabio Di Gianantonio, who also runs a ’21-specification Ducati but with the Gresini team.
A big chunk of his total is thanks to a stunning run to second in the Dutch TT at Assen before the summer break, while a front-row start in his home event at Mugello back in June also remains a highlight of his first year in MotoGP .