Moto3: Guareschi leaves Rossi's VR46 team

Valentino Rossi's race-winning VR46 Moto3 team has announced that Vittoriano Guareschi is departing as team manager.

Guareschi had joined the new Sky and KTM-backed project from the Ducati MotoGP team. The reasons for his exit and future plans are unclear, but Alessio 'Uccio' Salucci and another of Rossi's close friends Carlo Alberto Tebaldi will now take over on a temporary basis.

They will be aided by Luca Brivio, who is stepping up from overseeing the VR46 Riders in the FIM CEV Repsol series to become Team Coordinator.

"To Guareschi, we send out a sincere thank you for your great contribution to the construction and commissioning of the team and wish you success as your career continues," said a VR46 team statement.

"This effort between Sky and VR46 of Valentino Rossi will continue to nurture young Italian talent on the most important race circuits in the world. The next date will be the San Marino Grand Prix at Misano on 14 September."

Romano Fenati is fifth in the world championship - with three wins from five podiums, but also four non-scores - with team-mate Francesco Bagnaia 15th heading to next weekend's Misano round.