SSP: Davide Giugliano returns to the championship with Ducati... as team manager

The announcement regarding Davide Giugliano and his D34G Racing team is a significant one. The squad headed up by the former SBK rider will contest the WorldSSP Challenge, or rather the European rounds of the new Supersport, fielding two Ducati Panigale V2 bikes that will be ridden by Federico and Filippo Fuligni.

Filippo will be a fixed entry in the intermediate class for the first time, sticking with the team after putting in a solid performance during the 2021 CIV Supersport 600 season. Federico heads into his fourth season in the category, having made his debut in the production-derived series in 2019 after his experience in Moto2.

In the words of the riders

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Filippo Fuligni is keen to continue working with Giugliano in the world championship: “I’m very pleased to continue this adventure with Davide and Giada. I have real faith in the team. We worked really well last year and were fighting for the title until mid-season, after which my shoulder injury limited our performance. Our world championship wildcard at Misano was also very positive. Our goal for the season is to try to finish consistently inside the top ten, and try to finish first in the WorldSSP Challenge. I’m curious to test the bike and meet the new team members. I’m sure that the feeling will be great, just as it has been until now. There are many tracks I don’t know but having my brother as team-mate will definitely help me”.

Federico is also pleased: "Firstly, I’d like to thank Davide because it’s not every day you get the chance to join a team like this, and to race with your brother. Last year, we competed in the final CIV race together and I got on well with him and the team, and for this reason we’ve decided to take on the 2022 season together. I’m really excited about this opportunity and can’t wait to get on track with the Ducati, a new bike but one by a brand that is very close to Davide’s heart. I’m sure he’ll be able to help us a lot in that sense, as we work to improve".

Giugliano: "Being in the world championship with Ducati will be special"

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Although returning as team manager, it will be clearly be emotional for Giugliano to be back in the production-derived series with the Borgo Panigale brand: "This is a very important step, but we felt it was time because the team is ready and the results in previous years demonstrate this. This year’s regulatory change has brought new lifeblood to World Supersport. It was already a competitive championship but now there’ll be more manufacturers on the grid, which means even more competition and excitement. Of course, considering my career as a rider, making this jump with Ducati is something really special, and for those who’ve always followed me too. I have to say that I’m thinking about testing the bike, something I’ve never done before as team manager, but I have to admit I’m curious”.

Translated by Heather Watson

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