Italian Moto2 racer Marco Bezzecchi is reportedly being chased by two MotoGP teams for a promotion to the premier class in 2022.
Bezzecchi, a leading light of Valentino Rossi’s VR46 Academy and a 2021 Moto2 World Championship title contender, has seen his profile rise this week on the back of mentor Rossi’s confirmation he will retire from motorcycle racing at the end of the season.
Rossi had been mentioned in connection with assuming a seat of his own Aramco VR46 Racing Ducati team when it makes its MotoGP debut in 2022.
However, the decision to hang up his leathers means Bezzecchi is primed to step in, most likely alongside Luca Marini.
Nevertheless, though VR46 Racing would seem a logical step for Bezzecchi given his current association with the VR46 Sky Racing Italia team in Moto2, it is understood he has another attractive offer to join Petronas SRT Yamaha on the table.
With Rossi’s exit meaning Petronas SRT Yamaha now has two seats to fill for 2022 - on the assumption Franco Morbidelli replaces Maverick Vinales in the Factory squad - Bezzecchi is being strongly tipped together with Moto2 rival Xavi Vierge.
Only VR46 Racing has made its intentions regarding Bezzecchi publicly known, but boss Pablo Nieto hints he is a man in demand.
"It’s difficult to manage this situation because we are the VR46 Academy, we manage all of these young riders and we have to put on the table the best options for these riders. We know that we have our own team as well, so it’s a difficult situation
"We want to have the best thing for the rider and for the team. We have to think about everything. Of course, the last thought is always with the riders and we have to decide what to do and see what all of the options are.”
Scoring a third overall placing in the 2018 Moto3 World Championship, Bezzecchi stepped up to Moto2 with Tech 3 Racing in 2019 but has seen his form surge with VR46.
Achieving two wins and seven podiums durian the truncated 2020 Moto2 season, four further podiums in 2021 saw Bezzecchi hold down third overall behind the Red Bull Ajo KTM duo Remy Gardner and Raul Fernandez at the start of the summer break.
