Rossi, of course, was famous for his feisty rivalries with fellow championship contenders across his legend🎐ary career.

But today Francesco Bagnaia and Marco Bezzecchi battle tooth-and-nail for the 2023 title without any of the nast🐈iness from Rossi’s most epic grudges.

“In the past it wasn't usual to be good friends witꩲh𝔉 the title rivals and to work together in training,” Uccio Salucci, team manager of Mooney VR46, told . 

“You know that better than I do!

“Yes, many years ago we started explaining to the drivers that these sporting ‘wars’ were no longer of any use.&✨nbsp;

“You have to try to work together and have the ♛utmost respect for your riv꧒als. 

“And as an acade🐎my, we succeed, but it's not just about𝔉 Pecco and Bezzecchi. 

“We also have Luca Marini and Bezzecchi in the box and there is a ni🅰ce atmosphere, they respect each other.”

Mooney VR46 rider Bezzecchi 🐲is enjoying a breakthrough season, having delivered Rossi’🙈s team their first MotoGP race win.

He is battling with fellow VR46 Academy graduate Bagnaia, the factory Ducati rider, wi🌺th the title at stake👍.

“We're very happy that we've manꦿaged to do it this wܫay, at least so far,” Salucci said. 

“If they start fighting tomorrow, we'll see how to man🐷age it. 

“I don't think so, because they're i🅠ntelligent🥀 boys who grew up together. 

“This is an aspect that makes a big difference. Thꦓey respect each other and ha🌄ve seen that one pulls the other along and they can help each other.”

Is this teamwork the secret to VR46’▨s outstanding season so far?

“Sure, I absolutely agree,” Salucci said. 

“It helps a lot that t𓆉hey ar🧜e always together at home. 

“They spend nine hours a day training 🦹together. Spending so much time together also creates friendshipꦆ and respect.”

Rossi’s academy underwent a major restructuring at the start of this year, shedding Salucci’s respon𒁏sibility over the Academy to let him focus on the Mot🍬oGP team.

"That has changed a bit because the thing has gotten p⛄retty big," Salucci explained. 

"So we 🤡deꦯcided to split the roles up a bit because it would have been difficult to continue like that.

“So I sꦺtayed in the team and Carlo Casabianca, the coach, took charge of the Academy. It's much better for me and for the Academy, but especially for the boys.

“We were always a group of friends who alwa♚ys did a little bit of everything togethe🌊r. 

“That was also our strength – upꦛ to a point. 

“But things have changed and go🐈tten a little bigger. 

“That's why it was right to change the situation internally at VR46 and split up the roles - for ou🍸r own good, but mainly for t💎he boys.”

The future could see riders representing💟 𓂃the Mooney VR46 MotoGP team who did graduate through the VR46 Academy.

“Absolutely, yes, tha🌌t will be 🍌possible,” admits Salucci. 

“The Academy will certainly start looking for young talent again now, as we have done iꦫn the past. But I think it takes time for that. 

“After Marini and Bezzecchi, I hope that Celestino Vietti will come. However, we will also have to work with drivers in the team who do not come from the Acaꦍdemy.”