Moto3: Rossi's half-brother set for Misano debut

Valentino Rossi's half-brother Luca Marini (pictured in 2009) is set to make his grand prix debut as a wild-card in next month's Misano round of the Moto3 World Championship.

The 16-year-old, currently second in the Italian championship, will ride an FTR Honda for the Twelve Racing team, using the #97.

"If we do well at Misano, it could definitely create [full time] World Championship opportunities," Marini told the official MotoGP website.

"It is going to be very difficult, though, so for now it is better to put most emphasis on the Italian championship and then we shall see.

"If I could win that title it would make it a little easier to switch to the World Championship, in terms of securing sponsors and a good team."

Asked about his relationship with Rossi, Marini replied: "Now that I am older, we see more of each other; we see each other every day and go to the gym together. The relationship has deepened now, but it has always been very good anyway."

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