Marini confirmed at Forward Moto2

Forward Racing has confirmed that Luca Marini will join the team for next year’s Moto2 campaign. Marini, a half-brother of Valentino Rossi, will join the team for his first full campaign in Grand Prix racing but he has spent this year racing in the CEV Moto2 championship.

The Italian becomes the latest member of the VR46 Riders Academy to join the Grand Prix grid and he has signed a two year contract with the team alongside Lorenzo Baldassari

“I’m really happy to announce the arrival of a new rider for the 2016 season,” said team boss Giovani Cuzari. “Luca is a young rider that we are proud to welcome to our team with the goal of growing together. Luca will be deployed alongside the “Balda” and together will form a pair of talented young Italians riding the Kalex of Forward Racing. To confirm the confidence and support that VR46 Riders Academy wanted to give our project for 2016 is also for me a further reason for satisfaction.”

For Marini the opportunity to race on the world stage is one that he is looking forward to. “I am happy and at the same time excited for this great opportunity! Next season will be very important and demanding. Going to Forward Racing is a great opportunity for me to grow and learn from the team and from my teammate: I want to exploit this to the fullest! I want to thank Giovanni and the VR46 Riders Academy for this opportunity and I hope to repay their trust in me with my work,” said the 18 year old.