Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1545915
WIND IN THE P34 KTM could be the third manufacturer for Luca Marini in what would prove to be a MotoGP career lifeline in 2027. SCORE Announces the Return of Host City Mexicali S CORE International revealed its 2027 racing schedule, which includes the city of Mexicali as a host city again, something it hasn't done in years. The opening round of the 2027 SCORE sched- ule will be the 40th SCORE Baja 250, held March 17-21 in Mexicali, Baja California, "The City That Captured the Sun." Home to the SCORE Baja 1000 in 1993 and 1994, Mexicali "boasts thousands of passionate off-road fans and an expansive desert that provides the perfect proving grounds for the world's finest desert racers," says SCORE. SCORE also confirmed that the 2027 Baja 1000 will be a point-to-point race, kicking off in Ensena - da and finishing elsewhere. The exact location has not yet been finalized. Round two of the 2027 SCORE World Desert Championship will be June 2-6 with the Baja 500, round three September 8-12 with the Baja 400 and round four November 14-20 with the Baja 1000. CN Marini "Could Be An Asset" For Tech3 T ech3 KTM is edging toward signing Luca Marini for 2027 after team owner Guenther Steiner ruled out renewing with Maverick Vinales. "I spoke with a few riders. You don't only get a guy who rides a bike; you get a person who needs to be part of a team," Steiner told assembled journalists during the German Grand Prix. "They need to fit in. I didn't know Luca before. He's a very pleasant guy. He's got lots of experience, and he can help us to get better. As a human being and a rider… could he be an asset to the team? Maybe yes." Steiner also ruled out signing Brad Binder, who lost his factory KTM seat to Fabio Di Giannantonio for 2027. The Italian believes his squad needs "a fresh start" with a new name as his favored option. "There's a long history there [with Binder and KTM], and some - times you need to start from fresh, not to carry too much over. I mean, we speak all about these difficult situations, and in the end, we need to be, I call it a 'happy team' going forward. We don't want any 'old baggage.' We want to start afresh. "Therefore, maybe it doesn't fit in, people which were associ - ated with the group—not only with Tech3 and KTM, but with the group—for too long of a time, be - cause you always go back to how it was in the old days. Sometimes you need a fresh start." Australia's Moto2 star Senna Agius is the favorite to take Tech3's season seat for 2027. Neil Morrison In March 2027, Mexicali will host the Baja 250, the opening round of the SCORE World Desert Championship.