Michael Dunlop and Valentino Rossi, two motorsport legends, come together again on the same circuit

Gathering of legendary figures in motorsport in Italy

Michael Dunlop and Valentino Rossi, both icons in motorsports, came together on the racecourse in a memorable encounter.

Record-setting Isle of Man TT racer Dunlop is participating in Rossi's yearly 100km of Champions event in Tavullia this weekend.

Participants from different competitions gather at Rossi's annual event, and the presence of TT standout Dunlop, along with Davey Todd, brings an additional level of excitement.

Valentino Rossi and Michael Dunlop share a moment at the ranch 🤝 View the photo here: pic.twitter.com/ITlCET9wt3— Crash MotoGP (@crash_motogp) January 9, 2025

On Thursday, Dunlop and Rossi hit the circuit for a free practice session, marking another instance of the duo competing closely on the track, even though their careers have significantly diverged.

During the previous summer, Monster Energy orchestrated a unique track event at Silverstone, uniting Dunlop and Rossi for the occasion.

John McGuinness achieved a personal record lap around Silverstone on that day, and remarked, "This guy from Italy zoomed by me on the back straight…

Someone mentioned Valentino Rossi, and I thought, 'he's quite speedy, I'll follow his lead'.

He pulled me along to complete the quickest circuit I've ever achieved at Silverstone.

"I clenched onto the screen with my teeth, doing my best to maintain my grip!

My attention was primarily focused on observing him. He's unrivaled globally.

In 2009, the renowned Rossi made a trip to the Isle of Man TT, where he completed several practice rounds.

After the event, he commented, "The track was impressive and thrilling, especially considering its high speed and risk factor."

"It's astonishing to navigate a route like this at full speed on a Superbike – one wouldn't anticipate such a path to serve as a racing circuit. It certainly requires immense courage!"

"During the initial lap, it's not feasible to exert full effort right away. My goal is to complete five or six laps to gain a deeper understanding."

This weekend in Tavullia, the atmosphere is much more relaxed as stars from the Isle of Man TT return the visit.

Dunlop and Todd are set to compete with Rossi and other MotoGP competitors such as Pecco Bagnaia, Luca Marini, and Marco Bezzecchi this Friday and Saturday.

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Jorge Martin's supporter acknowledges that Ducati's decision to pick Marc Marquez is "comprehensible."

Jorge Martin has to come to terms with being overlooked by Ducati.

A confidant of Jorge Martin has admitted that it makes sense for Ducati to choose Marc Marquez.

Last year, the official Ducati squad decided not to choose Martin, who later went on to win the MotoGP championship.

The champion will switch to racing for Aprilia, a competing manufacturer, as Marquez joins the official Ducati team.

Pramac's sporting director, Fonsi Nieto, described Martin's rejection as a challenging time for him in an interview with Europa Press.

"I often mention that Jorge has faced three challenging periods during his MotoGP journey: the accident in Portugal, which left him shattered to the point of considering retirement; the selection of Enea Bastianini; and the choice of Marquez."

"He has faced some of the toughest challenges, but he managed to turn them into motivation, which isn't always a simple task."

Currently, Ducati is experiencing a period of success and is determined to keep striving for victories. However, it hasn't been a straightforward decision for them to part ways with a world champion rider like Jorge.

"However, considering it's Marc Marquez, an eight-time world champion with significant influence, it might be understandable why they opted for Marquez."

"You can never overlook Marc, as he ranks among the top riders of all time."

From the moment he first competed in the championship, he's been a consistent contender for the title.

"There will be an exciting competition between Pecco Bagnaia and him, involving the Ducati."

"I wish Jorge is battling alongside them too."

Pramac's rider Nieto witnessed Martin, an independent team competitor, surpass Bagnaia, the leading talent of the official Ducati team and the current titleholder.

Nieto described defeating a formidable opponent like Ducati in a head-to-head competition as an extraordinary achievement.

"There is greater value in accomplishing this as a satellite team."

"Ducati operates as the main manufacturer, employing a significantly larger workforce."

"However, we were stronger and more cohesive, convinced from our winter training sessions that we could secure the championship victory."

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Marc Marquez starts 2025 by testing a brand-new Ducati with numerous laps on the track.

As 2025 unfolds, it marks the commencement of fresh contract periods, and for Marc Marquez, this signifies his official role as a factory Ducati rider, granting him access to the perks associated with this position beyond the MotoGP circuit.

At the start of the year, Marquez took to the circuit riding the brand-new 2025 Ducati Panigale V2. Despite having less horsepower than the previous model, it's lighter due to the innovative twin-cylinder engine, the most lightweight V-twin engine ever created by Ducati.

Marquez hit the tracks at Valencia's Aspar Circuit, a facility that opened its doors a year ago, alongside various other Grand Prix stars.

Marc Márquez took the latest Ducati Panigale V2 for a spin at the Aspar Circuit 🔴😮‍💨📸 Snapshot of Marc Márquez's ride shared via pic.twitter.com/fpaLLLqOuj— Crash MotoGP (@crash_motogp) January 9, 2025

On this particular outing, the eight-time World Champion was joined by the current Moto3 World Champion, David Alonso, who rode a previous version of the Yamaha R6; alongside him were Dani Holgado, Izan Guevara, Tony Arbolino, Alex Marquez, and Sergio Garcia, each piloting Yamaha R6s from the 2017 model year; while Marquez's mentee, Max Quiles, and Angel Piqueras took to the track on Honda CBR600RRs.

Certainly, the history of track days has seen groups with lesser talent.

In addition to a full day of motorcycle training, the session at Aspar Circuit marked Marquez's inaugural rounds on a Ducati motorcycle for practice purposes, moving away from the non-branded Hondas he used previously. His colleague, Francesco Bagnaia, typically practices with the Panigale V4 R superbike. However, Marquez has not been spotted on it to date, except for his participation in last year's Race of Champions at World Ducati Week, where competitors rode the upcoming 2025 model of the Panigale V4.

The Spanish rider continues to use Honda CRF dirt bikes, yet there might be a shift in this area as well, since Ducati’s Desmo450 MX off-road motorcycle is expected to start being produced later this year.

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MotoGP's Expansion in the US – "I anticipated the challenges, but we are progressing"

Dorna's Chief Commercial Officer Rossomondo discusses MotoGP's increasing popularity in the United States

Dan Rossomondo, the Chief Commercial Officer at Dorna Sports, reports that MotoGP is certainly advancing in its efforts to broaden its reach within the United States.

Rossomondo, who previously led worldwide marketing and media for the NBA, took on the role of Chief Commercial Officer at Dorna in 2022, a move widely interpreted as a strategic effort to expand MotoGP's presence in the American market.

There was a time when MotoGP visited the United States twice annually, and in 2013, it happened three times in that same year.

By that period, Formula 1 had recently made a comeback to the United States following a break between 2008 and 2011, and has hosted three races in the nation since the previous year.

Currently, the MotoGP circuit stops just once a year in the United States, at Texas' Circuit of the Americas. However, discussions about adding a second event in the nation are in progress.

The purchase of Dorna by Liberty Media, the entity that owns Formula 1, is currently paused as the European Union investigates the deal. This acquisition is expected to significantly increase efforts to expand its visibility in the United States.

Discussing MotoGP's expansion endeavors in the US with the Sports Business Journal, Rossomondo commented, "I'm not sure if it's been more challenging than anticipated – I was aware it would be difficult.

"My team and I need to decide which areas we'll focus on and the direction we'll take."

"However, the reality that we can't easily increase from one to three races due to our circuits needing particular safety measures means we'll have to employ various strategies to achieve that goal."

"Without a doubt, we're gaining ground, absolutely. The number of individuals who've mentioned, 'Your sport was unknown to me a year back, and now I'm following it,' alongside those we've discovered to be secret MotoGP enthusiasts, clearly shows we're on the right track."

"I believe the results of those efforts will become evident this year."

Last season, Trackhouse Racing, managed by Justin Marks, became the first American-owned team in the series, stepping in after RNF ceased operations at the close of 2023.

For the 2025 season, MotoGP has revamped its visual identity, unveiling a fresh logo towards the end of the previous year with the aim of enhancing its brand recognition.

The season will kick off with an opening event in Thailand on February 9, followed by the commencement of the 2025 season in Buriram towards the end of February.

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2025 British MotoGP to Introduce "New Format," Ending 34-Year Tradition of Day of Champions

The longstanding tradition of the Day of Champions will not continue for the British MotoGP weekend, following a decision to overhaul the schedule with a new format.

The traditional Day of Champions event, which has been a lead-up to the British Grand Prix for over three decades, will come to an end in 2025.

Two Wheels for Life, the organization behind the inception of Day of Champions at Brands Hatch in 1989, has declared the cancellation of this year's event, which was scheduled to coincide with the MotoGP British Grand Prix at Silverstone.

The charity group that partners with Riders for Health to provide motorcycles to medical personnel in Africa's isolated regions announced that the Day of Champions, previously a day-long event, has been canceled because Silverstone has implemented a "new schedule."

Rather, it indicates that events will occur all weekend long, aiming to "present the finest aspects of Day of Champions in a new arrangement," details of which will be revealed in the near future.

"Andrea Coleman, who is the co-founder and CEO of Two Wheels for Life, mentioned that the inaugural Day of Champions event was held in 1989 at Brands Hatch."

Through decades, we've created a remarkable presence in motorcycle racing, a feat made possible by our amazing team and volunteers, the competitors and their teams, and devoted supporters, many of whom have been with us for all 34 years.

"We're honored to have gathered significant funds to aid in the provision of healthcare services throughout Africa."

"It's bittersweet for us to acknowledge the conclusion of Day of Champions, but we understand that change is a natural part of progress. We're enthusiastic about embarking on fresh endeavors that will continue to deliver what we excel at to MotoGP enthusiasts: opportunities to deeply engage with their favorite sport while also contributing to important initiatives that leverage motorcycles for life-saving purposes."

The concept of Day of Champions emerged from the minds of ex-Grand Prix racers Randy Mamola and Kenny Roberts. Their vision was to create an event where fans could have intimate access to their favorite racers, while also using the occasion to raise money for a good cause, specifically the Riders for Health charity.

Following the conclusion of the Day of Champions event, Two Wheels for Life has announced its ongoing discussions with Dorna, the MotoGP rights holder, about the possibility of introducing new events at different circuits in 2025. Details about these forthcoming events are expected to be announced in the near future.

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Luca Marini leads the way, with Valentino Rossi in 6th position and Michael Dunlop ranking 45th at Tavullia

Outcomes from the preliminary rounds at the 100km of Champions event hosted by Valentino Rossi

Luca Marini led the way during Thursday's practice session at Valentino Rossi’s 100km of Champions event.

Rossi's yearly antics are slated for Friday and Saturday; however, competitors from different leagues gathered a day in advance to train on the dirt track.

Marini, a standout rider for Honda in MotoGP, led the pack in the initial stages.

GPOne disclosed the sequence…

Davey Todd and Michael Dunlop, champions of the Isle of Man TT race, found themselves trailing at the end of their initial laps in Tavullia.

Pedro Acosta failed to clock in any time.

The Americana competition is scheduled for Friday evening.

In the previous year, Marini emerged as the winner in the Americana, which suggests a promising outlook for him once more.

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Yamaha brought on Jorge Lorenzo as a precautionary measure in case Valentino Rossi decided to pursue a career in Formula 1. The team was concerned about what would happen if Rossi chose to depart or abandon them.

One of the main reasons Yamaha decided to sign Jorge Lorenzo was their concern that Valentino Rossi might transition to a career in Formula 1.

Between 2004 and 2006, Rossi took the opportunity to try out Ferrari's Formula 1 cars. He has stated that during that time, Stefano Domenicali, who was in charge of Ferrari, was interested in having him change his athletic career to Formula 1.

At the age of 27, Rossi claims he received an opportunity to drive for Minardi, which used Ferrari engines in Formula 1, with the hope of eventually advancing to the prestigious Ferrari team.

Former Yamaha executive Lin Jarvis has confessed that the decision to bring Lorenzo on board was aimed at compensating for the departure of Rossi to Formula 1.

In a conversation with MotoGP World, Jarvis explained that when Vale joined, they secured victories in 2004 and again in 2005. However, following those initial triumphs, Valentino began to seriously contemplate a move to Formula 1.

"It was almost like Yamaha was getting reacquainted with MotoGP. We managed to secure wins in the first and second years, but then there was the question of what would happen if he decided to depart or abandon us?"

"We needed to find the next champion rider, take him under our wing, and develop his potential."

"In fact, Jorge began racing for our team in 2008, although we had signed a contract with him back in 2006!"

"We signed him on the condition that if Valentino made the switch to Formula 1, we would have our next top racer lined up, as it was clear to us that Lorenzo had a fierce competitive spirit."

Iconic Rivalry Between Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo

The period when Rossi and Lorenzo raced together for Yamaha was marked by a legendary conflict.

A partition was set up in the Yamaha garage to prevent the exchange of data, symbolizing the tense relationship between the parties involved.

In a well-known incident in 2015, Rossi accused Marc Marquez of being the reason he lost the championship, which was won by Lorenzo.

"Jarvis mentioned that when Jorge joined in 2008, he finished in third place in 2009, moved up to second place, and by 2010, he had become the champion."

"This posed a challenge for Valentino to come to terms with it."

Valentino decided to make a move and joined Ducati back then. The years 2011 and 2012 marked his transition to Ducati, which was the initial major change.

In the years 2011 and 2012, Valentino did not achieve success with Ducati, leading him to return to our team in 2013.

"The situation flipped. We welcomed Valentino back during the time when Jorge was reigning as the top figure."

"In a daring decision, Jorge ultimately chose to depart."

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Enea Bastianini parts ways with his longstanding MotoGP manager during a KTM turmoil

Tech3 KTM competitor aligns with London's MSM Group

Enea Bastianini, who has clinched victory in seven MotoGP races, has ended his partnership with his longstanding manager Carlo Pernat, opting to sign with the London-based agency MSM instead.

Bastianini stands out among the Italian riders in the top tier of racing, as he is not affiliated with the VR46 Academy and instead has had his career managed by Pernat up to this point.

In addition to managing Bastianini, Pernat has had a role in guiding the careers of notable riders such as Andrea Iannone and Loris Capirossi throughout his career.

On Friday, the London-based agency MSM revealed that it had secured Bastianini to join as part of its management team.

The cause behind Bastianini parting ways with Pernat remains unclear, with the seasoned manager currently at the age of 76.

Bastianini's prospects in MotoGP are currently in jeopardy due to KTM's financial troubles, which might lead to the brand leaving the series by 2026. This comes as a result of KTM's decision to enter self-administration at the end of last year as a step in its restructuring efforts.

Bastianini inked a long-term agreement with KTM to compete for Tech3 starting in 2025, after spending the past two seasons as a factory rider for Ducati.

The Italian racer will now be managed by MSM CEO Enrico Zanarini, who boasts a background in motorsport, having previously managed Formula 1 drivers such as Eddie Irvine and Giancarlo Fisichella.

"Zanarini expressed that Enea's commitment to performing at the peak of competition is in complete harmony with our goals."

"We are thrilled to back him in his quest for outstanding achievement."

Bastianini stated, "Collaborating with MSM signifies a fresh and optimistic chapter in my professional journey."

Leveraging MSM's proficiency and unwavering assistance, I am optimistic about our success, encompassing all aspects of performance, whether it's during competitions or behind the scenes.

"Entering the 2025 MotoGP season, my resolve to perform at the top of my game has never been stronger."

MSM boasts a broad roster of motorsport stars, including ex-F1 racers such as Jean Alesi, Daniil Kvyat, Jacques Villeneuve, and Antonio Giovinazzi.

The company also acts as legal representative for ex-MotoGP and World Superbike star Max Biaggi, in addition to F1 Academy racers Hamda Al Qubaisi and her sibling Amna.

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Aprilia encourages its MotoGP racers to share their thoughts: 'Occasionally, it's okay to express harsh words to one another'

Aprilia's chief executive shares a strategy for overcoming challenging times

Aprilia's Chief Executive Massimo Rivola has cautioned about challenging times on the horizon for MotoGP in 2025, emphasizing the importance of open dialogue among its racers, even if it involves harsh exchanges.

The Italian team has overhauled its roster for the upcoming season, welcoming reigning world champion Jorge Martin and Marco Bezzecchi to its squad.

In 2024, Aprilia achieved victory in a grand prix, but faced challenges with its RS-GP model as the season progressed, ultimately falling to third place in the rankings, trailing behind KTM and the winning brand, Ducati.

Martin has quickly worked to temper anticipations of defending his title in 2025 during his inaugural season with Aprilia.

In a recent backstage footage featured on MotoGP's official site, showcasing Martin and Bezzecchi's initial trial with Aprilia in November, Rivola also cautioned about the "challenging times" to come.

"He started his address to the entire Aprilia team, focusing on Martin and Bezzecchi, by saying, "We're going to face some challenging times, and some that are even more difficult."

"The solution to getting through these times is really straightforward: discuss everything."

"What's the progress like? At times, it's necessary to alter the way you communicate with one another."

"Occasionally, you might even find yourselves saying 'fuck off' to one another."

"No worries. The adrenaline surge will actually make things smoother for you."

"Our plan is to provide both of you with the optimal circumstances we can achieve, ensuring complete transparency and honesty without any manipulation or deceit."

It's important to recognize that you play a pivotal role in supporting numerous families who are employed by you, carrying this duty as part of your responsibilities.

Starting 2025, Aprilia welcomes not only new riders but also appoints Fabiano Sterlacchini, formerly associated with KTM and Ducati, as its new technical director.

He steps into the shoes of Romano Albesiano, who has transitioned to the position of technical director at Honda. This move comes after Aleix Espargaro made the switch from Aprilia to the Japanese brand, having joined as its test rider.

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EXCLUSIVE: MotoGP's Latest Team Aims to Distinguish Itself from Major Manufacturers

Lewis Duncan of Crash.net interviews Davide Brivio to explore Trackhouse Racing's ambitions and strategy.

The Trackhouse team, led by Justin Mark, aims for more than merely participating; it was already clinching victories in the NASCAR Cup Series by its second year in 2022.

In a historic motorsport moment destined to be replayed in highlight reels, Ross Chastain secured the last spot in the championship playoffs by executing a wallride maneuver that propelled him from 10th to 5th place at the finish line in Martinsville.

The squad, which has international music icon Pitbull as a partial owner, arrived at the 2023 Chicago street race featuring Supercars legend Shane Van Gisbergen, who emerged victorious in his first NASCAR appearance.

Several months down the line, Trackhouse made an unexpected decision by declaring its intention to join the MotoGP World Championship in 2024. Marks had been considering this step for some time. However, the disbandment of the RNF team, following the sale by its main sponsor CryptoDATA, which left both the team and MotoGP in a bind, presented Trackhouse with an irresistible opportunity.

The organization assumed control of RNF's operations, rebranded the entity, enhanced its relationship with Aprilia, and introduced a team owned by Americans to the MotoGP lineup.

During its debut season in the top-tier category, the team secured its first sprint race podium in Germany, thanks to Miguel Oliveira, who is set to join Pramac Yamaha in 2025. Raul Fernandez achieved a sixth-place finish at the Catalan Grand Prix, marking the team's best Sunday performance of the season, just a day after he fell while leading the sprint race.

In other aspects, Trackhouse managed to secure ninth place in the team standings, outperforming only the underperforming Honda teams. Oliveira's injury negatively impacted the latter part of the season, and Fernandez faced challenges after transitioning mid-season from the RS-GP23 to the evidently inferior RS-GP24, leaving him struggling throughout the remainder of the season.

Davide Brivio discusses Trackhouse's aspirations in MotoGP

Although Americans are often seen as bold and extravagant, Trackhouse's first appearance in MotoGP wasn't quite as attention-grabbing on the racetrack.

Away from the public eye, Trackhouse created quite a buzz. They recruited Davide Brivio, a former team manager for Yamaha and Suzuki, who had been with Alpine from 2021 to 2023. Additionally, they executed one of the most surprising signings during the silly season.

An American-owned racing team seemed poised to bring the first full-time American MotoGP rider since 2015 into the spotlight. However, Joe Roberts ended up without a position after the dust settled. Initially, there were speculations about Jack Miller and Sergio Garcia, but ultimately Ai Ogura was chosen, securing a two-year deal.

By this stage, the Japanese competitor was having an impressive season, securing two victories despite an injury that kept him out of the Austrian GP. His absence did not hinder his progress. He clinched a third victory at Misano, and his steady performance, combined with teammate Garcia's difficulties after being turned down for MotoGP, positioned him as a strong contender for the Moto2 championship. When he claimed the title at the Thai Grand Prix, the 2025 contract he had with Trackhouse proved to be a wise decision.

Looking back on his inaugural year leading Trackhouse, Brivio tells Crash, "We owe a big thank you to Ai for helping us make the right decision by winning the championship!"

The unexpected aspect of Ogura's contract with Trackhouse was not the team's decision to partner a Japanese rider with a Spaniard rather than selecting an American for one of the RS-GPs. It was surprising that Ogura was even available in the market to begin with.

Honda had been eagerly anticipating Ogura's interest in joining MotoGP, yet the team's lackluster performance in recent seasons made him hesitant. His decision to leave the Honda Team Asia project for the 2024 season in Moto2 indicated that Ogura was carefully considering his best path to advance to the premier class, rather than opting for the simplest one. Brivio noted this deliberation in Ogura's approach as memorable.

Brivio expressed that in Ai, they observed a true warrior, someone who is persistent and resilient. Even if he starts off poorly, he manages to persevere and bounce back.

His approach to riding might serve as a solid foundation for developing a MotoGP riding technique.

"We also appreciate his demeanor; he appears to be someone who is highly dedicated and concentrated on his tasks—a diligent and earnest worker. These are just some of the qualities we admire."

Ogura's relaxed attitude towards racing was clear during his initial MotoGP test in Barcelona last November. Many newcomers usually discuss how carbon fiber brakes differ from the steel brakes used in Moto2.

For Ogura, it wasn't exactly a dramatic experience. The intense pace of MotoGP bikes also didn't catch him off guard as much as he had anticipated.

Is Ai Ogura the next big star like Maverick Vinales or Joan Mir? The rich legacy of Japanese riders in MotoGP is something Ogura will constantly encounter each time he races. Although Takaaki Nakagami has been representing Japan since 2018, Ogura is seen as the first Japanese talent in recent years with the promise to achieve something remarkable.

Trackhouse is aware of this, but it's reasonable that the expectations for his first year are kept modest.

Brivio, who has a history of supporting promising young individuals and recognizing what they require to succeed, will take care of that.

At Suzuki, he selected Maverick Vinales directly from Moto2 to join the team for its re-entry into MotoGP in 2015. By the following year, Vinales had begun winning races. However, the plan to develop him as a "Suzuki rider," as Brivio described, did not materialize as expected when Yamaha signed Vinales for the 2017 season. Nonetheless, Brivio successfully shaped Alex Rins into a rider capable of winning multiple races, and Joan Mir achieved Suzuki's first world championship in two decades in 2020.

According to Brivio, Suzuki's circumstances arose out of necessity. He openly acknowledges that, despite not being a brand-new manufacturer, they were essentially starting fresh with a new project. At that time, it was challenging to gain the trust of top riders. Therefore, for various reasons, they opted to focus on a project involving young riders.

However, Brivio takes pleasure in nurturing young racers. With Trackhouse, he is moving forward in this direction.

Brivio explains that Trackhouse reached a stage where they felt the need to take action, considering future prospects as well. He mentions that making a decision was challenging, particularly when it came to Miguel, about whom they have no complaints.

"His actions and conduct within the team were outstanding. The decision was purely based on the concept of a new project and had nothing to do with the individual riders personally."

Ogura is a newcomer, and Raul, despite his youth, is believed to possess considerable talent that remains untapped. He shows promise, being young and about to enter his fourth season in MotoGP.

“We decided to entrust him with leading the team, and now it’s up to him to prove himself. Time will tell if he succeeds.”

"It's a venture. Raul, despite his youth, has considerable experience; Ai, although new, shows promise, as they both aim to establish something lasting for Trackhouse in the upcoming years."

Could Trackhouse's strategy face challenges?

One clear risk of nurturing young talent is that these rising stars often become targets for competing teams. Brivio encountered this when Vinales was at Suzuki, and Joan Mir received proposals from Ducati, though he chose to remain with Suzuki. It's difficult to foresee what decision a rider will ultimately make.

Brivio is aware that by 2027, Ogura might receive enticing offers from manufacturers that could be difficult for him to turn down.

However, Trackhouse stands apart from many satellite organizations as it does not aim to serve as a development ground. Inspired by Pramac's success, which showcased exceptional talent in Jorge Martin and leveraged its partnership with Ducati to clinch the 2022 championship, Trackhouse aspires to become an equally appealing venue.

Brivio expresses that their objective isn’t to develop riders specifically for a factory team. However, he acknowledges the inherent risk, as all riders currently aspire to join a factory team. The wisdom of such a decision varies depending on the circumstances.

"One challenge we might want to tackle is attempting to improve an independent team to the point where a rider faces a tough decision about whether to stay or leave."

"We are fully conscious of the potential danger. We understand that if Ai performs well, there's a possibility that in 2027, someone might attempt to recruit him."

"The task at hand is to ensure he stays with us, to make him content, and to provide him with a competitive bike that delivers strong results, all in the hope of retaining him. The current situation with Pramac is quite intriguing, as they are in contention for the championship. I believe that if Pramac clinches the championship, it might encourage the riders to be more thoughtful."

"Consider whether it's preferable to be part of an independent team with a reliable bike or to join a factory team that may not have a clear future. I'm pleased with Pramac's performance."

I told Paolo Campinoti, "You're carrying the aspirations of all the independent teams on your shoulders, as we see you as a benchmark for what such a team can achieve." I am optimistic that going forward, the gap between factory and independent teams will narrow, particularly since we are entering a phase where manufacturers are starting to treat independent teams on par with the factory ones.

"Aprilia is set to have four factory motorcycles, and the same goes for KTM. Honda already has four factory bikes, while Yamaha will also feature four. Essentially, aside from possibly Ducati, there will be no outdated bikes on the grid. This change is likely to reduce the gap between factory and independent teams, and it will be interesting to observe this shift in balance moving forward."

Trackhouse introduces new team members with the phrase 'Welcome to the House.' This reflects its goals, inspired by Pramac, to create a setting where its riders feel comfortable and eager to remain for the long term.

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Valentino Rossi's 100km of Champions unveils thrilling rider combinations

Complete lineup of rider teams announced for Saturday's Tavullia event

Below is a list of all the rider duos participating in the 100km of Champions event at Valentino Rossi's ranch in Tavullia this Saturday.

Michael Dunlop and Pedro Acosta have been teamed up for the 100km of Champions race organized by Valentino Rossi. What an amazing duo! 📸 Michael Dunlop pic.twitter.com/brkVo2YGta— Crash MotoGP (@crash_motogp) January 10, 2025

Michael Dunlop and Pedro Acosta have been teamed up for the 100km of Champions race organized by Valentino Rossi. What an amazing duo! 📸 Michael Dunlop pic.twitter.com/brkVo2YGta

On Friday night, Luca Marini emerged victorious in the Americana race, which consisted of three laps.

The highlight takes place on Saturday, featuring pairs of cyclists competing in the 100km of Champions race.

Rossi will collaborate with his sibling Marini.

MotoGP stars and VR46 academy alumni Pecco Bagnaia and Marco Bezzecchi are set to team up.

Certainly, the pairing that captures the most attention is the record-setting Isle of Man TT racer Michael Dunlop teamed up with Pedro Acosta!

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For ten years, James worked as a sports reporter for Sky Sports, where he covered a wide range of topics including American sports, soccer, and Formula One racing.

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Valentino Rossi takes a tumble but still secures a podium spot in the 2025 100km of Champions Americana event. The race captivated the audience in Tavullia on Friday night.

On Friday night, Luca Marini emerged victorious in the Americana race during Valentino Rossi's yearly event in Tavullia.

A gathering of top motorcycle racing stars has arrived at Rossi's ranch for two days of competition on his dirt track.

Marini secured the win in the initial race, known as the Americana, which consisted of a quick three-lap sprint around the circuit.

According to journalist Ricard Jove, Marini achieved a fastest lap time of 46.032 seconds.

After progressing through several elimination rounds, today's American race finale was ultimately won by @Luca_Marini_97. He was followed by @FrankyMorbido12 in second place, and the indomitable @ValeYellow46 secured third. The podium was dominated by riders from the @VRRidersAcademy. Tomorrow, the long 100km race awaits. pic.twitter.com/qszclzrfsW— Ricard Jové (@RicardJove) January 10, 2025

After progressing through several elimination rounds, today's American race finale was ultimately won by @Luca_Marini_97. He was followed by @FrankyMorbido12 in second place, and the indomitable @ValeYellow46 secured third. The podium was dominated by riders from the @VRRidersAcademy. Tomorrow, the long 100km race awaits. pic.twitter.com/qszclzrfsW

Franco Morbidelli secured a second-place finish, achieving a top lap time of 46.774 seconds.

Rossi secured the third-place position on the podium with his top performance time being 46.453.

Lorenzo Baldassarri secured the fourth position, achieving his fastest lap time of 47.156 seconds.

According to GPOne, Rossi was set to secure a second-place finish but ended up crashing at the last corner, which dropped him to third place.

Honda's MotoGP standout, Marini, set the quickest time during Thursday's practice and then secured pole position for the race on Friday.

Last year, he was the recipient of the Americana award.

He aims to begin 2025 on a high note to rejuvenate his second year as an official Honda rider, following a lackluster debut season.

On Saturday, the final day of the two-day event, the 100km of Champions will occur at the VR46 ranch in Tavullia.

Pedro Acosta, Miguel Oliveira, Pecco Bagnaia, and Enea Bastianini are set to join Marini and Morbidelli in competing in MotoGP events.

Michael Dunlop and Davey Todd, both victors of the Isle of Man TT race, are participating in the competition this year as well.

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