Valentino Rossi Predicts MotoGP Competition For The 2024 Season

Valentino Rossi predicts the competition for the four VR46 Academy students in the 2024 MotoGP (Instagram/@valeyellow46).

JAKARTA - MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi predicts that the 2024 MotoGP will be one of the most beautiful years for his academy dropouts, VR46.

The four VR46 academy dropouts in question of the seven-time world champion are defending champion Francesco Bagnaia, Marco Bezzecchi, Franco Morbidelli, and his younger brother Luca Marini.

"The 2024 season promises a beautiful year. Our riders or more precisely those from the academy (VR46), all of them have very competitive motorbikes," he told Sky Sport.

Of the four names of the riders above, Marini is actually most doubtful about being able to compete, especially after he decided to move to Repsol Honda to experience the Factory's bike for the first time in his career.

Marini was recruited by Honda to replace the vacant place left by six-time world champion Marc Marquez. The Spaniard left the Japanese manufacturer and joined Ducati with Gresini Racing.

Luca Marini had the least competitive bike last season. However, now Rossi believes Marini can make a profit with Honda's appearance in the 2024 MotoGP.

"Bagnaia is the world champion and will race in the factory team. Morbidelli will use the Ducati manufacturer's motorbike in the Pramac team. Bezzecki defends VR46 and then Marini will race Honda," said Rossi.

Francesco Bagnaia graduated from the first VR46 Academy to win the MotoGP championship in 2022. He is also now eyeing a third title after last year's ability to defend his title.

Meanwhile, Marco Bezzecki claimed the VR46 team's first win in the primary last season and is now ready to challenge the champions again.

Next, Franco Morbidelli may be one to watch out for this season after he finally got a much superior motor, the same bike Bagnaia owns.

Marini will, of course, spearhead the rise of Honda. The manufacturer has slumped in recent years.