'I love racing at night' - Luca Marini ahead of first MotoGP race

Luca Marini will take part in his first MotoGP race this weekend alongside fellow Ducati rookies Enea Bastianini and Jorge Martin, as the long wait for racing is finally over. 

The 2020 Moto2 championship runner-up has impressed so far during testing, and will be looking to make a positive start to the season in his aim of being rookie of the year. 

Unlike the rest of the grid, the three rookies enjoyed an extra day of testing as they took part in the shakedown test on March 5. 

Speaking ahead of his first race in the premier class, Marini said: "It will be an even more special first race than usual. I don't know what to expect but I am sure I will be very excited on the starting grid next Sunday.

"I am satisfied with the testing sessions and how I have found myself with the bike even though I would have liked to have been able to do a little more kilometers on my Ducati.

"It is important to put into practice what we have learned from the data analysis for improving both the bike and my riding style.

"The Qatar track is well suited on our bike and I love racing at night, I would say the perfect scenario to start this season." 

Marini joins some familiar company on the grid as he will be riding against fellow VR46 Academy riders, Franco Morbidelli, Francesco Bagnaia, and of course his half-brother Valentino Rossi. 

The opening race of the season is this Sunday March 28.