Marquez brothers split from VR46 merchandise

AC Management, in charge of image rights for double MotoGP champion Marc Marquez and younger brother Alex, has confirmed their merchandise will no longer be produced and distributed by Valentino Rossi's VR46 Racing Apparel company.

The move had long been rumoured, following the acrimony between Rossi and Marquez in the closing rounds of the 2015 season.

"AC Management, company in charge of managing the image rights of the riders Marc M?rquez and Alex M?rquez, informs that they have agreed with the Company VR46 Racing Apparel, S.r.l. to terminate the license agreements previously in force and under which the latter was in charge of the exploitation of both riders' merchandising," said a statement.

"Both parties appreciate services rendered while the agreement was in force and wish each other success in future endeavors."

As well as Rossi, VR46 Racing has licensing deals with the likes of Dani Pedrosa, Scott Redding, Cal Crutchlow, Jack Miller, Romano Fenati, Maverick Vi?ales, Bradley Smith, Niccol? Antonelli, Jonas Folger, Luis Salom, Alvaro Bautista, Kevin Schwantz and Pol Espargar?.

The Marquez brothers are tipped to move their merchandising to Gruppo Pritelli, which works with Aleix Espargaro, Andrea Dovizioso, Andrea Iannone, Jorge Lorenzo, Nicky Hayden, Tom Sykes and Takaaki Nakagami.