Marini decided to gamble on HRC awakening from its slumber after recognising his road to a factory Ducati seat was blocked by Martin , Bastianini and Bezzecchi – to name but a few . So why not apply his impressive technical knowhow to a project crying out for it ? The Italian has looked instantly at home in his factory surroundings , and has already given HRC engineers tips on how to make their aerodynamics package more Ducati-like . Getting up to speed will take time , though , as witnessed in his early season performances . But Marini has the intelligence and temperament to not get frazzled by the challenge ahead .

BIRTHPLACE : Urbino ( ITA )

DATE OF BIRTH : 10 / 8 / 97