Moto3: Foggia and Marini join Bulega and Bagnaia at Team Sky VR46

Spanish championship front-runner Dennis Foggia will step up to the Moto3 world championship for 2018 as he joins Niccolo Bulega at Valentino Rossi’s Team Sky VR46 squad, with Rossi’s half-brother Luca Marini also joining the team’s Moto2 effort for next season.

Foggia, already a VR46 rider in the CEV Moto3 class, will join Bulega as he prepares for his third season with the squad – and admits that he’s been given the best chance that any young rider could ask for in being able to learn off the nine-time world champion.

“Any young rider dreams to debut in the world championship with a team as the Sky Racing Team VR46. After two seasons in CEV with the Junior Team, I’m happy to face this jump with Sky and the VR46 Riders Academy. Debuting in this big family is a precious opportunity, but also a responsibility. I will continue to work with my new team for my growth path and for new goals.”

Meanwhile in Moto2, Marini will step up alongside Francesco Bagnaia as a reward for a strong season with the Forward Racing squad – and says he’s confident that he’ll be able to develop himself further with such a strong squad.

“I am really excited to start this new experience. Joining the big family of the Sky Racing Team VR46, a school of life thanks to the spirit that animates it, is a great opportunity to continue my growth path. I will give my best to come up to expectations. A special thanks goes to the Team Forward, where I made my debut in the championship.”

The news leaves both Andrea Migno and Stefano Manzi respectively out of a job for next year, but Migno has already been linked to the Aspar team and their new KTM deal for 2018.