Special home Italian livery for Luca Marini at Mugello

Luca Marini will take part in his first home Italian Grand Prix as a MotoGP rider using this special livery.

While their unfortunately won't be any trackside fans due to Covid restrictions, the Sky VR46 Avintia Ducati rider is determined to make this most of his 'favourite track'.

Marini has scored nine-points during the five races so far this season, matching his best result of twelfth last time in the flag-to-flag Le Mans race.

"It will be an important round for me. The track is my favourite of the whole calendar and it's always great to race there," Marini said.

"Ducati has always been strong at Mugello, I hope to do well and have fun. It will be a special weekend, it will be a key race for me and I want to enjoy it from the start to the finishing line."

Avintia sporting director Ruben Xaus feels Marini's growing knowledge with the GP19 means 'the real season begins here' and is looking forward to seeing what the young Italian can do at a track where he finished second in his most recent 2019 appearance.

"The race at Mugello has many meanings for the rider and the whole team," Xaus said. "After five races, we can say that the real season for us begins here. There is more confidence in riding, more knowledge of the bike and a series of tracks in which Luca was always strong even in Moto2 will arrive in sequence.

"Then here the Ducati will be able to make the most of all the technical characteristics of its engine. The weather will certainly be more stable too and it will be easier to work on a solid bike to be able to make a good step forward in the next races."

Team-mate Enea Bastianini, riding the Avintia branded bike, will start his home round with a reduced eleven-point lead over Marini in the rookie of the year standings.

Pramac's Jorge Martin sits between the Avintia riders in the rookie contest, but will again be absent due to injury this weekend, while Aprilia Lorenzo Savadori has score two points so far.