The Latest Breaking News from Luca Marini

After a delay of almost two hours due to rain, the very first MotoGP race on Indian soil got under way on Saturday with the shortened sprint contest.

Following a long delay to help dry up the starting grid, the 11-lap sprint - shortened due to extreme heat and originally scheduled to start at 3:30pm local time - got under way just after 5pm at the Buddh International Circuit, with VR46’s Marco Bezzecchi starting from pole ahead of…

Jorge Martin and Luca Marini traded the top spot in the timesheets for much of the extended 70-minute session at the Buddh International Circuit, each enjoying long stints at the front on their respective Ducatis.

Jorge Martin and Luca Marini traded the top spot in the timesheets for much of the extended 70-minute session at the Buddh International Circuit, each enjoying long stints at the front on their respective Ducatis.

Valentino Rossi’s outfit has been a presence in the MotoGP paddock for almost a decade, having started out in Moto3 in 2014 before expanding into Moto2 in 2017.

Last weekend’s Misano round featured the exact same top four in both the sprint and the grand prix, with Jorge Martin leading Marco Bezzecchi, Francesco Bagnaia and wildcard Dani Pedrosa.

The Pramac rider led from the off, and despite VR46 rider Bezzecchi attempting a fight back after passing Francesco Bagnaia for second, Martin held on for his second consecutive podium.

The Pramac rider led from the off, and despite VR46 rider Bezzecchi attempting a fightback after passing Francesco Bagnaia for second, Martin held on for his second consecutive podium.

Ahead of this weekend’s San Marino Grand Prix – both Marini and the team’s home race – it was confirmed he would stay with his half-brother Valentino Rossi’s team for another year.