It’s not often that a satellite team enters a new MotoGP season with plenty of hype, but Avintia Esponsorama Racing could be just one to be seen in 2021.
Much of that is due to their exciting new lineup of Enea Bastianini and Luca Marini.
The Ducati-linked suit parted ways with Johann Zarco and Tito Rabat at the end of last year and opted to introduce new tracks. While there will always be an element of uncertainty with two rookies, there is no denying that the Esponsorama lineup for 2021 is one of raw talent.
In his second season at Moto2 last year, Bastianini applied for the riders ’competition – winning three races and achieving seven podium finishes in the process – to name himself a rider to watch.
Unsurprisingly, Esponsorama has also put faith in the man who came closest to challenging him for the Moto2 crown in Marini, which also has a pedigree, and weight, to be a half- brother to the legendary Valentino Rossi, nine-time world champion.
Esponsorama never ended up as abrupt opponents this year when they have not finished higher than 9th in the team position since their first top class appeared in 2012.
But they could just cause a move along the way with Bastianini and Marini available.
What they said
Enea Bastianini: “2020 was great for me, winning a global competition for the first time. I think this is a new event for me and for my first year at Ducati, at MotoGP and also with Ducati Avintia.
“I need to learn a lot … [when we get to] In the middle of the competition, we will see what we can do [achieve]. “
Luca Marini: “It will be a great feeling to spend some time along the way with him [Rossi]. It will be good to have a few battles with him. I don’t know if I’ll be as fast as he was from the start, but I will definitely try.
“I just want to improve, learn a lot of things as soon as possible, because it changes a lot from Moto2. I have to prepare myself for my first time but I’m ready. the right time to do this and I’m excited to get started. “
How the lights go out …
“Avintia Esponsorama’s race went through a rebound last year, going from a part-time player to a sudden podium competitive world championship, largely thanks to Johann Zarco,” he said. Edward Russell, MotoGP FOX Sports Asia presenter.
“As Zarco now moves up to Pramac, the change in modus operandi Esponsorama continues, with the Spanish team now putting their faith in adolescence, and not just any young riders except the top two in last year’s Moto2.
“Marini in particular, with its height, looks to do it for MotoGP, and with factory support for all riders and spec machines better than the Ducati team in the third tier ever before,” both Bastianini and Marini could do a little surprise this year.
“With all three rockets this year – Jorge Martin as the third – all on Ducati satellite devices and they all want to prove to the Bologna factory that they are the main new light, just adding more to what will be a season very interesting. “
2021 will be successful if: Either Bastianini or Marini – or maybe both – deliver their hype and contribute to the end of Esponsorama’s solo podium. Winning a race would be a real dream come true and, as the MotoGP 2020 season showed, anything could happen.