Fabio di Giannantonio has praised Luca Marini’s upcoming move to Tech3 KTM for 2027, calling his fellow Italian’s arrival a “great signing” that can help drive KTM’s MotoGP progress.
The two riders, who both began their premier-class careers as satellite Ducati riders, have forged a close friendship and mutual respect. Di Giannantonio, who will join the Red Bull KTM factory team alongside Alex Marquez next season, credited Marini for giving him support early in his MotoGP journey.
“I really hoped for him to still be in MotoGP… He was really helping me back at [the start of my MotoGP career]. We are friends,” said di Giannantonio. “It’s also a great signing for KTM because I think he can help us and can help the factory to improve the bike. He’s a super fast rider, so I’m happy.”
Marini, who has notched two poles and two podiums with VR46 Ducati and is currently the leading Honda rider in the world championship, is widely respected for his technical feedback. “I would say that I’m a good rider at giving good, precise comments, but he is much better than me. When we train together and we speak about racing, I always learn a lot of things from him,” di Giannantonio added.
Departing KTM star Pedro Acosta echoed the sentiment: “He’s a guy who made pole positions in VR46. He’s making good races with Honda, and it looks like he’s quite stable during the season to develop a bike. For this, I think KTM is getting a good line-up.”
Marini is expected to partner Moto2 race winner Senna Agius at Tech3 as KTM prepares for the new 850cc/Pirelli era in MotoGP
