Is the Marc VDS Moto2 team closing down? The signs are unmistakable

The death of team owner Marc van der Straten on 5 July 2026 leaves a huge void in motor racing. To preserve his legacy, the dynamic Belgian has set up a trust fund, ensuring the continued existence of his team at least for this year and next.

Van der Straten spent several million euros every year on his racing projects on two and four wheels. Given such sums, it is easy to imagine that the reserves in the trust fund for his teams in the Moto2 and Superbike World Championships (since 2024) will not last forever. Further wealthy sponsors must be found to cover the budget.

It is now clear that team manager Marina Rossi, the wife of rider Sam Lowes, must decide whether the Marc VDS team will compete in the Moto2 or Superbike World Championships in future – both series are unsustainable in the long term.

Aron Canet has already found a new team

There are now unmistakable signs that the Moto2 team will be disbanded after this season. Although Aron Canet has a contract with Marc VDS until the end of 2028, the Spaniard has already agreed terms with Fantic for 2027, thereby returning to the team with which he celebrated five Grand Prix victories in 2024 and 2025 and finished second and fourth in the World Championship. It is reasonable to assume that this decision was preceded by a forward-looking discussion between the Marc VDS team and the 26-year-old.

In the medium term, promoter Liberty (formerly Dorna) aims to reduce the starting grid in the middle-capacity class from 32 to 26 riders. This is to happen organically: if a team withdraws, the places will not be reallocated.

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Canet’s team-mate Deniz Öncü is also looking for a new ride. After this season on the Boscoscuro machine, the Turkish rider would like to return to a Kalex; to do so, he would need to secure a place with Gresini or Movovem RW Racing for 2027. If that does not work out, his manager Kenan Sofuoglu intends to move him to the Supersport World Championship, where Deniz’s twin brother Can currently occupies third place in the championship standings.

In the Moto2 overall standings, Öncü and Canet are in disappointing 17th and 23rd places ahead of this coming weekend’s races at Misano, whilst Sam Lowes is fifth in the Superbike World Championship.