Bola.net – The Italian MotoGP at the Mugello Circuit on June 9-11 2023 is the race week that the host riders have been eagerly waiting for. Italy, as the most successful country in Grand Prix history, also has a number of talented racers who are ready to fight for victory at home.
Italy is still the country with the most world titles, namely 80 titles with details of 21 in GP500/MotoGP, 8 in GP350, 25 in GP250/Moto2, 24 in GP125/Moto3, and 2 in GP50/GP80. As a result, achieving flashy achievements at home will be a special target for Pizza Nation riders.
There are currently 14 Italian riders competing in the Grand Prix. Five of them are Valentino Rossi’s students at the VR46 Riders Academy, namely Pecco Bagnaia, Marco Bezzecchi, Luca Marini, Franco Morbidelli and Celestino Vietti. Two more riders are former members of VR46, namely Romano Fenati and Dennis Foggia.
The remaining seven riders never joined the VR46 Riders Academy, even though Lorenzo dalla Porta had defended the VR46 Racing Team squad in Moto3. There are three pure non-VR46 riders who can still excel even without Rossi’s help. Who are they? Here’s the review.
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Tony Arbolino
Pembalap Elf Marc VDS Racing, Tony Arbolino (c) AP Photo/Jose Breton
Since choosing to work in the world of racing, Tony Arbolino has always struggled alone to find his way to the world championship. He also made his debut in Moto3 in 2017 with Sic58 Squadra Corse. Unfortunately, this collaboration only lasted a year, and ‘Tiger Tony’ moved to the Snipers Team in 2018.
Arbolino also experienced rapid progress. In 2019, he ended the season in 4th place, and even finished runner up in 2020. In 2021, he moved up to Moto2 with Intact GP, but ended up not having a podium. After moving to Elf Marc VDS Racing, he has now won many podiums and wins, and is even leading the standings ahead of this weekend’s race.
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Fabius of Giannantonio
Gresini Racing’s driver, Fabio di Giannantonio (c) Gresini Racing
After finishing runner-up to the Red Bull Rookies Cup in 2015, Fabio di Giannantonio made his full Moto3 debut in 2016 with Gresini Racing. He immediately appeared competitive. At a young age, he won a total of 14 podiums and 2 wins in three seasons, and even finished runner-up in Moto3 2018.
His career in Moto2 has been a bit sluggish, but ‘Diggia’ often surprises the top flight. Three seasons competing in class intermediate, he collected 8 podiums and 1 victory. Unfortunately, Giannantonio hasn’t been on the podium since joining MotoGP in 2022. However, he is showing positive progress by consistently fighting in the top 10 positions this season.
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Aeneas Bastianini
Pembalap Ducati Lenovo Team, Enea Bastianini (c) Ducati Corse
Together with Andrea Locatelli, Enea Bastianini is an Italian rider who did not hesitate to refuse Rossi’s offer to join the VR46 Riders Academy. After placing 4th in the 2023 Red Bull Rookies Cup, ‘Bestia’ switched to Moto3 in 2014 and continues to be a top rider. He was also the runner up in 2016.
Bastianini then moved up to Moto2 in 2019, and succeeded in becoming world champion in 2020. This achievement made Ducati interested in hooking him up for MotoGP 2021 and placing him in satellite teams. For two seasons, he earned 8 podiums and 4 wins, and was even ranked 3rd in 2022. This achievement then made him ‘raise up the ranks’ to the Ducati Lenovo Team this season.
