MOONEY VR46 RACING TEAM: DEBUT IN QATAR FOR THE TEAM MADE IN TAVULLIA

The long wait is over: Luca Marini and Marco Bezzecchi will bring the Ducati Desmosedici GPs on track for the first race of the 2022 season

Doha (Qatar), March 1st 2022 – A weekend with a truly special flavor awaits the Mooney VR46 Racing Team in Doha where, as usual, the Qatar Grand Prix will take place this Sunday: the first race of the 2022 season and debut in MotoGP of the Tavullia team. In the heart of the desert, Luca Marini and Marco Bezzecchi will make their debut with the colors of Mooney and the VR46 at the Lusail International Circuit.

Working from the Sepang tests to take measurements with the Ducati GP22 as well as with the new Team and in the slip stream of the fastest guys after the test at Mandalika (Top3 in the combined standings), Luca is ready for his second year as a rider in the Top class and has very clear ideas on his goals for the new season.

Marco is waiting at the starting blocks too, rookie in the premier class and first among the rookies in Indonesia, motivated to continue his apprenticeship in the new category and his growth path after an encouraging pre-season.

For both, the appointment is at the pit garage of the Lusail International Circuit Friday at 01:40 pm local time (11.40 am CET) for the FP1 of the Qatar GP. The race instead, the first real act of the 2022, is scheduled on Sunday March 6th at 06.00 pm local time (04:00 pm CET).

Grand Prix of Qatar

Lusail International Circuit

Length: 5.4 km

Curves: 6 left, 10 right

Width: 12 m

Longest straight: 1068 m

MotoGP race: 22 laps

MotoGP race distance: 118.4 km

Red Flag finish MotoGP: 17 laps (3/4 of the total laps scheduled)

Pablo Nieto, Team Manager MotoGP Mooney VR46 Racing Team

“They have been very busy months for the whole team, everyone has worked hard to get ready for this race and for the Team’s debut in MotoGP. It will be exciting for everyone to see the Ducati with the official colors of the Mooney VR46 Racing Team on the track for the first time. Luca and Marco arrive here motivated to do their best, they have different goals, different experiences. The Doha race means the start of a new season, always has a special charm and for us, as a Team making its debut in the Top class, it will have an even more important meaning”.

Luca Marini #10

This race always has a special atmosphere: the first GP, the unique setting of the desert and a really beautiful track, one of my favorite on the calendar. This year will be different because I will be riding the Ducati of the Mooney VR46 Racing Team which will make its debut in MotoGP. A new working group, but one that I wanted. The atmosphere in the Team is excellent, the air is positive. We just have to keep working and doing our best starting from this Sunday.

Marco Bezzecchi #72

The long wait is over: I’ve been waiting for this day since the last race in Valencia and can’t wait to get out on track. The first MotoGP race will be special, something I will always remember. Racing with the strongest riders in the highest category of our sport is a dream for every rider. We arrive here after a good pre-season, I worked well with the Team and with Ducati, but the first GP will be another story. There will be the new bike with the colors of the VR46 and Mooney. I want to do well and enjoy the moment.