Italian Moto2 rider Nico Bulega has parted company with the VR46 Academy after six seasons as he ‘wants to stand on his own two feet’.

Bulega was picked up by Valentino Rossi’s outfit in 2013 and won the CIV Moto3 title two years later but has not set the world alight since then.

It is believed he will move to the Gresini Federal Oils Moto2 team in 2020.

“I learnt a lot from them and I feel privileged to have been part of this group and to be able to say with pride that I was a rider of my absolute idol, Valentino Rossi,” said Bulega.

“But after so many seasons with the same colours and the same people, now is the time to try and stand on my own two feet and seek out new professional experiences to complete myself both as a sportsman and a person.”