Mooney VR46 Team officially kicks off the MotoGP 2023 campaign

Mooney VR46 Racing Team 2023

The Mooney VR46 racing team is set to enter their tenth season in the motorcycle world championship but 2023 will only be their second season in the top MotoGP category.

231 points achieved in their first MotoGP season, a podium, a pole position, Rookie of the Year title, multiple Top 10 spots and a solid and growing finish to set goals high in 2023.

A close-knit team, working under the supervision of the Team Owner, Valentino Rossi, led again by Alessio Salucci, Team Manager, and Pablo Nieto, Team Director.

A technical package of the highest level, signed by Made in Italy by Ducati, the motorcycle world champion in 2022.

Luca Marini, in his third year at MotoGP, is poised to achieve ambitious goals after an impressive pre-season alongside Marco Bezzecchi, who is aiming for victory from his first race in Portugal. House on March 26.

Luca Marini

“I am very happy with the off season, the bike is really fast and competitive and I also like the new, all black graphics. I’d say we’re close to perfection. In Malaysia, the race speed is very good, the flight lap simulation is excellent and we are satisfied. We can fight for Top5 every weekend, we just have to try to give our best in the first GPs. With our ‘specs’, we’re probably going further in the context perhaps than the factory team riders who have to develop new bikes. We are 100% prepared for this Championship even if, with Saturday’s sprint and then Sunday’s race, we don’t know what will happen. Strategy and qualifying will be important: in such a short distance, many riders can still fight on soft tires“.

Marco Bezzecchi

“I loved last season’s bike, but with the all-black version, we’ve retrofitted some! I am satisfied with the test sessions, I feel fine on the new bike and I immediately feel the difference. The connection to the gas is the most obvious, compared to the bike first, and then the aerodynamic package. It will be difficult with two races in the same weekend, at least in the early stages, even just understanding how to manage the body. I want to win my first race, that’s the goal. We start with a pre-set, competitive, and fast engineering package. I mean at first we were ready, maybe even more than the official racers. Then they will definitely come, we have to make the most of it now“.

Valentino Rossi – Team owner

“I look forward to a great 2023 from Team Mooney VR46. Last year we launched MotoGP after so many years in Moto3 and Moto2 and it was a great season. We were quick, even though the Team was a new team. The boys did a great job, many times vying for podiums and leading positions. This also continues to be our goal for 2023. We have two very fast and more experienced riders, I hope they can go one step further to get their first win and conquer more. podium as possible. Luca is in his third season in MotoGP and I expect a lot from him. He has made great strides in 2022, he has matured a lot and has come close to the podium many times: he deserves it. During the test sessions, he was very fast and he was competitive. Marco can also do well, in his rookie year in MotoGP which is difficult for everyone, he was very good. He took to the podium in Assen and made many races with the fastest to the end. He has to continue like this and can improve to be even faster in his sophomore year in the top class“.

Alessio Salucci – Team Director

“We are leaving behind a difficult year, but a year that has brought us great satisfaction and we are ready to face another season, the tenth season for the Team in the Championship. competition, the second season in MotoGP. It’s a huge pride for all of us as we’ve watched Luca and Marco grow over the years and today they’ve brought our shirt colors, along with Mooney’s, to the top. head. The level is very high, the new racing format will be challenging for everyone, but I am sure that the Team will not pass up any opportunity, as well as our partners, first of all Mooney and Ducati, who will continue to support us to the fullest extent of their ability to achieve our important goals“.

Pablo Nieto – Team Manager

“This will probably be the most spectacular and challenging MotoGP season ever: speed riders, bikes with the highest level of technology and sprint races. It is important to have a close-knit Team behind you and able to work together to better face all the unknowns. We only have one year of experience, but we look to 2023 and are confident we have a solid and competitive technical package, thanks to the support of Ducati, riders Luca and Marco, who have impressed in the season finale with a work team, which I am very proud of“.

MotoGP Calendar 2023

1. March 26 – Portugal, Portimao
2. April 2 – Argentina, Termos de Rio Honda
3. April 16 – Americas, COTA
4. April 30 – Spain, Jerez
5. May 14 – France, Le Mans
6. June 11 – Italy, Mugello
7. June 18 – Germany, Saxonyring
8. June 25 – Netherlands, Assen
9. July 9 – Kazakhstan, Sokol (Depending on similarities)
10. August 6 – United Kingdom, Silverstone
11. August 20 – Austria, Red Bull Ring
12. September 3 – Catalunya, Catalunya
13. September 10 – San Marino, Misano
14. September 24 – India, Buddha (Depending on similarities)
15. October 1 – Japan, Motegi
16. October 15 – Indonesia, Mandalika
17. October 22 – Australia, Phillip Island
18. October 29 – Thailand, Chang
19. November 12 – Malaysia, Sepang
20. November 19 – Qatar, Lusail
21. November 26 – Valenciana, Valencia

List of riders participating in MotoGP 2023