{"id":2029726,"date":"2026-07-05T18:24:58","date_gmt":"2026-07-05T15:24:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2029726"},"modified":"2026-07-05T18:24:58","modified_gmt":"2026-07-05T15:24:58","slug":"worldsbk-and-former-motogp-team-owner-marc-van-der-straten-dies-aged-78","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2029726","title":{"rendered":"WorldSBK and former MotoGP team owner Marc van der Straten dies aged 78"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/gng_1228833_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9&#8243;]<\/p>\n<article>\n<header id=\"lbs-article\" class=\"article header article-header section layout layout--article-header\">\n<div class=\"col headline\">\n<div>\n<h1>WorldSBK and former MotoGP team owner Marc van der Straten dies aged 78<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"summary body\">\n<p>Marc van der Straten, owner of the Marc VDS Racing Team in WorldSBK and formerly MotoGP, has died.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"section two-column\">\n<div class=\"col article-info\">\n<div>\n<address> Alex Whitworth <\/address>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div><time datetime=\"2026-07-06T13:24:51+00:00\">Updated: 06 Jul 2026<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"col article-actions\">\n<div class=\"block block-better-social-sharing-buttons block-social-sharing-buttons-block\">\n<div class=\"social-sharing-buttons\"><span class=\"ssb-title\"> Share<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div id=\"lbs-content\" class=\"content wide-two-column-sticky section layout layout--wide-two-column-sticky\">\n<div class=\"col first-column\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<figure> <source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/gng_1228833_hires.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1920w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/gng_1228833_hires.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1800w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/gng_1228833_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1600w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/gng_1228833_hires.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1500w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/gng_1228833_hires.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1200w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/gng_1228833_hires.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 900w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/gng_1228833_hires.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 800w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/gng_1228833_hires.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 600w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/gng_1228833_hires.jpg?width=400&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 400w\" sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 710px, (min-width:768px) 62vw, 97vw\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><figcaption>\n<div>Marc van der Straten, 2025 MotoGP French Grand Prix. Credit: Gold and Goose.<\/div>\n<div class=\"source\"> \u00a9\u00a0Gold &amp; Goose<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block block-preferred-source\">\n<div class=\"preferred-source-cta\">  Add as a preferred source <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"body\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Marc van der Straten, the owner of the Marc VDS Racing Team, which currently competes in WorldSBK and did so previously in MotoGP, has died has died at the age of 78.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Van der Straten first brought his Marc VDS team to world championship motorcycle racing in 2010 in the Moto2 class, in which it went on to win titles in 2014, 2017, and 2019.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">The team expanded into MotoGP in 2017, and collaborated with the Estrella Galicia Moto3 team.\u00a0<\/p>\n<figure> <source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/gng_1228834_hires.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp 1920w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/gng_1228834_hires.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp 1800w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/gng_1228834_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp 1600w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/gng_1228834_hires.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp 1500w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/gng_1228834_hires.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp 1200w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/gng_1228834_hires.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp 900w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/gng_1228834_hires.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp 800w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/gng_1228834_hires.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp 600w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/gng_1228834_hires.jpg?width=400&amp;format=webp 400w\" sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 710px, (min-width:768px) 62vw, 97vw\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><figcaption>\n<div>Marc van der Straten hugs Jake Dixon, 2025 Moto2 French Grand Prix. Credit: Gold and Goose.<\/div>\n<div class=\"source\"> \u00a9\u00a0Gold &amp; Goose<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">By now, the team is present in WorldSBK and the Endurance World Championship, as well as Moto2.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Van der Straten\u2019s passing was confirmed in a statement published by the team today (5 July).<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cThe Elf Marc VDS Racing Team is mourning the loss of its charismatic founder and owner Marc van der Straten, who sadly passed away peacefully at his home in Switzerland this morning (July 5th),\u201d reads the statement from Marc VDS.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-5a56094fffde4892e2fc2c541461bb27d66dedec8aa4c481b16cbbb70b45462f\">  Jake Dixon on MotoGP slipping away: \u201cIt just hasn&#8217;t worked out, I\u2019m okay with that now\u201d <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cAn internationally renowned entrepreneur, it was Marc\u2019s indelible passion for motorsport that helped make him a household name all around the world for fans of racing on two and four wheels.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cHis love of motorsport was passed to him by his father, who was a former racer himself, and it was that shared enthusiasm that thrust Marc into a life dedicated to motorsport.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div>View this post on Instagram<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>A post shared by Elf Marc VDS Racing Team (@elfmarcvdsracingteam)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"placeholder embed instagram\">\n<div>Loading this video will expose you to potential cookies and tracking by the provider<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cFollowing success as a team owner in multiple four-wheeled disciplines, Marc embarked on what would become an incredible journey in Grand Prix motorcycle racing in 2010, when he created an ambitious project to join the inaugural Moto2 World Championship.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article_2\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cGuided by Marc\u2019s appetite to deliver excitement and success, Marc VDS won the Moto2 title in 2014, 2017 and 2019 with Tito Rabat, Franco Morbidelli and Alex Marquez.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cHe was the driving force behind the creation of a unique racing dynasty, as the Marc VDS brand also featured in MotoE, Moto3 and MotoGP, and still competes in Moto2 and WorldSBK as well as embarking on the new adventure in the EWC.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cIt was with an enormous sense of pride that Marc witnessed his Marc VDS livery claim over 100 podiums in all World Championship categories, with its most recent delivered by Sam Lowes in WorldSBK at MotorLand Aragon.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cBeyond being the boss, Marc was a larger-than-life character whose signature chequered flag cap made him instantly recognisable all around the globe.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cWinning was special to him, but so was his quest for excellence both on and off the track. Marc VDS isn\u2019t just a team. It\u2019s a family. And one of his great pleasures in life was seeing that family thrive and succeed through hard work and dedication.\u00a0<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cMarc created memories that will last forever. And we will never forget him and what he contributed to helping so many chase and fulfil their dreams in a truly remarkable life.\u201d<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block block-echobox\">\n<h2>Subscribe to our MotoGP Newsletter<\/h2>\n<div class=\"info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-info\" id=\"edit-info--2\">\n<p>Get the latest MotoGP news, exclusives, interviews and promotions from the paddock direct to your inbox<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"extra-info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-legal\" id=\"edit-legal--2\">\n<p>For more information see our Privacy Policy<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"summary body\">\n<p>Marc van der Straten, owner of the Marc VDS Racing Team in WorldSBK and formerly MotoGP, has died.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"body\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Marc van der Straten, the owner of the Marc VDS Racing Team, which currently competes in WorldSBK and did so previously in MotoGP, has died has died at the age of 78.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Van der Straten first brought his Marc VDS team to world championship motorcycle racing in 2010 in the Moto2 class, in which it went on to win titles in 2014, 2017, and 2019.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">The team expanded into MotoGP in 2017, and collaborated with the Estrella Galicia Moto3 team.\u00a0<\/p>\n<figure> <source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/gng_1228834_hires.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp 1920w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/gng_1228834_hires.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp 1800w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/gng_1228834_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp 1600w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/gng_1228834_hires.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp 1500w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/gng_1228834_hires.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp 1200w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/gng_1228834_hires.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp 900w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/gng_1228834_hires.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp 800w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/gng_1228834_hires.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp 600w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/gng_1228834_hires.jpg?width=400&amp;format=webp 400w\" sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 710px, (min-width:768px) 62vw, 97vw\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><figcaption>\n<div>Marc van der Straten hugs Jake Dixon, 2025 Moto2 French Grand Prix. Credit: Gold and Goose.<\/div>\n<div class=\"source\"> \u00a9\u00a0Gold &amp; Goose<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">By now, the team is present in WorldSBK and the Endurance World Championship, as well as Moto2.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Van der Straten\u2019s passing was confirmed in a statement published by the team today (5 July).<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cThe Elf Marc VDS Racing Team is mourning the loss of its charismatic founder and owner Marc van der Straten, who sadly passed away peacefully at his home in Switzerland this morning (July 5th),\u201d reads the statement from Marc VDS.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-5a56094fffde4892e2fc2c541461bb27d66dedec8aa4c481b16cbbb70b45462f\">  Jake Dixon on MotoGP slipping away: \u201cIt just hasn&#8217;t worked out, I\u2019m okay with that now\u201d <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cAn internationally renowned entrepreneur, it was Marc\u2019s indelible passion for motorsport that helped make him a household name all around the world for fans of racing on two and four wheels.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cHis love of motorsport was passed to him by his father, who was a former racer himself, and it was that shared enthusiasm that thrust Marc into a life dedicated to motorsport.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"body\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Marc van der Straten, the owner of the Marc VDS Racing Team, which currently competes in WorldSBK and did so previously in MotoGP, has died has died at the age of 78.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Van der Straten first brought his Marc VDS team to world championship motorcycle racing in 2010 in the Moto2 class, in which it went on to win titles in 2014, 2017, and 2019.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">The team expanded into MotoGP in 2017, and collaborated with the Estrella Galicia Moto3 team.\u00a0<\/p>\n<figure> <source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/gng_1228834_hires.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp 1920w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/gng_1228834_hires.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp 1800w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/gng_1228834_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp 1600w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/gng_1228834_hires.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp 1500w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/gng_1228834_hires.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp 1200w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/gng_1228834_hires.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp 900w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/gng_1228834_hires.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp 800w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/gng_1228834_hires.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp 600w,https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/gng_1228834_hires.jpg?width=400&amp;format=webp 400w\" sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 710px, (min-width:768px) 62vw, 97vw\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><figcaption>\n<div>Marc van der Straten hugs Jake Dixon, 2025 Moto2 French Grand Prix. Credit: Gold and Goose.<\/div>\n<div class=\"source\"> \u00a9\u00a0Gold &amp; Goose<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">By now, the team is present in WorldSBK and the Endurance World Championship, as well as Moto2.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Van der Straten\u2019s passing was confirmed in a statement published by the team today (5 July).<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cThe Elf Marc VDS Racing Team is mourning the loss of its charismatic founder and owner Marc van der Straten, who sadly passed away peacefully at his home in Switzerland this morning (July 5th),\u201d reads the statement from Marc VDS.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-5a56094fffde4892e2fc2c541461bb27d66dedec8aa4c481b16cbbb70b45462f\">  Jake Dixon on MotoGP slipping away: \u201cIt just hasn&#8217;t worked out, I\u2019m okay with that now\u201d <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cAn internationally renowned entrepreneur, it was Marc\u2019s indelible passion for motorsport that helped make him a household name all around the world for fans of racing on two and four wheels.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cHis love of motorsport was passed to him by his father, who was a former racer himself, and it was that shared enthusiasm that thrust Marc into a life dedicated to motorsport.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;http:\/\/crash.net\/motogp\/news\/1100364\/1\/worldsbk-and-former-motogp-team-owner-marc-van-der-straten-dies-aged-78&#8243;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/www.crash.net\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-07\/gng_1228833_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9&#8243;] WorldSBK and former MotoGP team owner Marc van der Straten dies aged 78 Marc van der Straten, owner of the Marc VDS Racing Team in WorldSBK and formerly MotoGP, has died. Alex Whitworth Updated: 06 Jul 2026 Share Marc van der Straten, 2025 MotoGP French Grand Prix. Credit: Gold and Goose. \u00a9\u00a0Gold [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[47,226],"class_list":["post-2029726","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crash-net","tag-crawlmanager"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2029726","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2029726"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2029726\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2029726"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2029726"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2029726"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}