Gresini Racing MotoGP – A History of Excellence
Gresini Racing MotoGP is one of the most storied independent teams in the history of Grand Prix motorcycle racing. Founded in 1997 by two-time 125cc World Champion Fausto Gresini, the Faenza-based team has spent nearly three decades competing at the highest level of the sport, becoming a nursery for talent and a consistent challenger at the front of the field.
The team made its debut in the 500cc World Championship, the predecessor to MotoGP, with Brazilian rider Alex Barros aboard a Honda NSR500. From those early days, Gresini Racing developed a reputation for ambitious recruitment and a commitment to performance that has defined the team's identity ever since. The move to the new MotoGP class in 2002 brought fresh challenges and opportunities, with the team competing at the sharp end with factory-supported Honda machinery and a roster of world-class riders including Sete Gibernau, Loris Capirossi, and Marco Melandri.
The team's history was touched by tragedy in February 2021 when founder Fausto Gresini passed away after a battle with COVID-19. His family, led by wife Nadia Padovani, took on the role of team principal and has guided the outfit through its most successful period in modern history. The decision to become an independent Ducati satellite team – running the Desmosedici GP – proved transformative.
Fausto built this team with passion and vision. Our mission is to continue his legacy by competing for victories and championships every season.
The signing of Marc Márquez for 2024 brought unprecedented global attention, with the team's social media following and media value growing exponentially. When Marc departed for the factory Ducati team at the end of 2024, many questioned whether Gresini could maintain its momentum. The answer arrived in spectacular fashion: with Álex Márquez and rookie Fermín Aldeguer, the team delivered a record 2025 season featuring 4 GP wins, 33 podiums, and the Best Independent Team title.
The announcement of BK8 News as title sponsor from 2025 began a new chapter in the Gresini story. Rebranded as BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP, the team now combines nearly three decades of racing heritage with the commercial ambition and global marketing power of one of Asia's fastest-growing sports media platforms.
