VR46 2019: Bulega to Moto2, Ramus Moto3 debut
SKY Racing Team VR46 has confirmed its 2019 rider line-ups for the Moto2 and Moto3 World Championships.
After three seasons in Moto3, Nicolo Bulega will be promoted to the Moto2 team in place of MotoGP-bound Francesco Bagnaia.
Bulega, who took two podiums in his debut 2016 grand prix season but has struggled with his physical size since, will ride a Kalex alongside the retained Luca Marini.
"After three years in Moto3, I feel ready to embark on this new adventure," said Bulega. "I will give the best of myself because I am very motivated, and I am very happy to have the Sky Racing Team VR46 at my side for this key moment in my career.
"I will continue to stay focused on this season, but it's true that I'm looking forward to getting on my new bike.”
Replacing Bulega in the junior class team will be Celestino Vietti Ramus, who races for the VR46 Riders Academy in the FIM CEV Moto3 Junior World Championship.
Ramus will be team-mate to current rookie Dennis Foggia, on KTM machinery.
"Thanks to Francesco [Bagnaia], we have reached our goal and for the first time ever, one of our riders will enter MotoGP next season with a package that is so powerful," said team manager Pablo Nieto.
"Together, we have achieved great things and we must be proud of it, but we must also move forward by continuing to support young Italians with the same professionalism and passion. We need to stay motivated and keep the sense of detail.
"To give new life to our project, we decided to line up two rookies alongside the confirmed Luca Marini and Dennis Foggia.
"On the one hand, Nicolo will make his Moto2 debut on a motorcycle that should be better suited to his size and should allow him to express his full potential. Expectations are great.
"Celestino will join our Moto3 structure after two years in the Junior Team. He is young, but ultra motivated and ready to make the jump. From a purely technical point of view, we played the card of stability by deciding to prolong with KTM in Moto3 and Kalex in Moto2."
Peter has been in the paddock for 20 years and has seen Valentino Rossi come and go. He is at the forefront of the Suzuki exit story and Marc Marquez’s injury issues.
