Marini records best dry MotoGP finish, but not ‘ready to be more forward’

After securing his first ever MotoGP front row at Misano, Sky VR46 Avintia rider Luca Marini clinched his best finish in the dry with ninth. 

After holding his own during the opening few laps, Marini was then pushed outside the top ten by Enea Bastianini, Fabio Quartararo, Johann Zarco, Alex Rins and Maverick Vinales. 

But with crashes to Francesco Bagnaia and Miguel Oliveira happening late on, Marini was able to find his way back into the top ten before holding off his brother Valentino Rossi in what was the nine-time world champion’s final home race. 

While Marini would have liked to finish higher up, especially after qualifying third, the former Moto2 runner-up was exactly where he anticipated being as he does not feel ‘ready to be a bit more forward’ at this time. 

"I think it was really a strong weekend. For sure, it’s impossible to be super happy about the result of the race," said Marini. 

"But anyway, I think it was really important to stay in the top positions and try to do a good race. 

"At the end my pace was nice, I expected to be in this position or around there before the race started. 

"Finishing in the top ten is always nice and it was the goal for today because I don’t feel ready for some reasons to be a bit more forward. But, we are working a lot to make it possible. I think I learned a lot today."

Although it was a good step-forward for the Italian rider, team-mate Bastianini once again got the better of Marini in a race situation - has been the case in six of the seven races since the summer break as he came from 16th to third at Misano.