WorldSBK, Dall’Igna: “The title? We rely on Alvaro Bautista’s return”

In a little over two weeks the Superbike show will get underway at Aragón, and Ducati has high hopes of achieving its main goal: the title. Alvaro Bautista returns to the Borgo Panigale garage and will flank the re-confirmed Michael Rinaldi, as they take on the Yamahas and Kawasakis.

The determination of Dall'Igna

Ducati Corse general manager, Luigi Dall’Igna, is ready for this new challenge: “The level of WorldSBK is growing every year, as well as the competition. Obviously, this doesn't scare us, and on the contrary, it pushes us to give more and more, work more carefully and focus on every single detail”. Memories of last season are positive: “In the 2021 World Championship, our team was the only one to have won at least one race with both riders, and this confirms the potential of the Panigale V4R”.

Ducati heads out on track with the intention of securing the title of course: “To achieve our most important goal, we rely on Alvaro Bautista's return - who needs no introduction - and Michael Rinaldi's desire to impress”. But 2022 also bring another exciting new adventure: “We will also be competing in the World Supersport Championship with the Panigale V2. It's a fascinating challenge that underlines Ducati's deep commitment to the world of production-based racing."

Great confidence in Michael Rinaldi

Supporting Ducati once again this year is Aruba.it, and CEO/team principal Stefano Cecconi comments: “We look at the 2022 WorldSBK season with high ambition and strong determination. The goal of our team is to always take a step forward, year after year, in terms of performance and results. This is the reason why we are proud to represent Ducati in the World Superbike Championship, feeling the presence and passion of the Ducatista people on every circuit”. As for Alvaro’s return, Stefano comments: "We bet on Alvaro Bautista’s return and we want to fight with him a more exciting season than the 2019, which gave us great satisfactions after all”.

And they have confidence in the Italian too: “We firmly believe in Michael Rinaldi and we reckon he is ready to take that significant step forward after the steady growth he has shown so far. Moreover, as Aruba.it Racing, we will be protagonists of a new adventure with Nicolò Bulega and the Ducati Panigale V2 in the SuperSport World Championship. Another fascinating challenge that underlines our growing commitment”.

The Aruba.it Racing – Ducati team has everything it needs

Adding to what Dall’Igna and Cecconi have to say is Ducati Motor Holding CEO, Claudio Domenicali: “We share values, skills, goals, targets with Aruba.it. Plus, and we both believe in the importance of innovation and technology. Aruba.it is a strategic partner, on and off the track, and we are happy to start another season together in the WorldSBK Championship, the most important production-based racing Championship".

The fans can have fun watching the racing on TV but that’s not all: “The bikes our fans can buy are as close as possible to the bikes that race on track like the Panigale V4 and, from this year,  the Panigale V2 that will make its debut in the World Supersport Championship. This is our philosophy of putting racing technology at the service of our passionate and sporty customers."

The championship countdown has begun: “The Aruba.it Racing - Ducati team is a perfect mix of experience and enthusiasm thanks to the return of Alvaro Bautista and the confirmation of Michael Ruben Rinaldi. I wish them and the whole team the best of luck for the 2022 season."

Translated by Heather Watson

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