Fabio Di Giannantonio overcame a hand harm to say VR46’s first MotoGP victory since 2023 in Sunday’s dramatic Grand Prix of Catalunya.
The Italian’s solely victory within the premier class got here that season with Gresini, however the authentic race was halted after a daunting collision between Alex Marquez and Pedro Acosta triggered particles to collide.
Di Giannantonio cornered race chief Acosta on the ultimate restart after a significant flip one accident that left Johann Zarco with a critical leg harm introduced out a second pink flag.
The Ducati rider took the lead with three laps to go, giving the workforce its first MotoGP win since Marco Bezzecchi on the 2023 Indian Grand Prix, with Valentino Rossi celebrating from trackside.
It was additionally VR46’s first win since changing into Ducati’s official satellite tv for pc workforce firstly of final season, after being left in Gresini’s shadow final yr.
Fabio Di Giannantonio, 2026 Catalunya MotoGP.
© Gold & Goose
Nonetheless, Di Giannantonio, who emerged as Ducati’s foremost rider within the World Championship, is broadly anticipated to depart the VR46 and be part of the manufacturing unit KTM mission within the new 850cc period.
“Are you certain you wish to go away us?” Rossi laughed whereas posing for a photograph with Di Giannantonio on the workforce’s post-race celebration within the newest MotoGP Unseen video.
Di Giannantonio smiled again, however didn’t reply.
“Nice job! Bravo,” Rossi added, giving Di Giannantonio a hug and a thumbs up.
Valentino Rossi, 2026 Catalunya MotoGP.
© Gold & Goose
Spaniard Fermin Aldeguer will change from Gresini to a VR46 machine subsequent season.
Nonetheless, there are massive doubts over Franco Morbidelli’s future and the id of Aldeguer’s 2027 teammate is unknown.
“Our workforce has all the time grown with Italian riders, so we wish to maintain not less than one Italian rider subsequent yr,” Rossi mentioned firstly of the Catalan weekend.
“So we now have some choices and we have to work out some issues. Nothing official but. We’ll see.”
World SBK title chief Nicolo Brega, Rossi’s youthful brother Luca Marini and Sunday’s Moto2 runner-up Celestino Vietti are all rumored to be concerned within the remaining VR46 seats.
