Foolish season within the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship has been eventful already and one seat that’s nonetheless up for grabs is the one subsequent to Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) in 2024. Incumbent Michael Ruben Rinaldi has been attempting to safe his future with the group however, talking on day one on the Aragon take a look at, Group Supervisor Serafino Foti dropped the most important trace but that the group have selected a future with out the Italian.
The #21 topped the instances on the opening day of the take a look at however has discovered outcomes exhausting to return by this season, with a mix of unhealthy luck and poor weekends leaving him languishing seventh within the Riders’ Championship standings, regardless of taking 5 podiums. He’s behind teammate Bautista in addition to two Unbiased Ducati riders, with Axel Bassani (Motocorsa Racing) fifth and Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Group) sixth.
A number of names have been linked with Rinaldi’s seat for 2024 together with Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Group), who at present leads the WorldSSP standings. In the course of the Aragon take a look at, Foti was requested for an replace on when a choice can be made and communicated. He said a last choice can be made within the upcoming days with a aim to announce their line-up on the French Spherical initially of September.
Increasing on this, Foti mentioned: “We’re actually near a choice. We’ve a last assembly within the subsequent few days. Our aim shall be to announce our line-up at Magny-Cours. To be sincere, as I’ve mentioned prior to now, Bulega’s among the finest choices however we additionally produce other choices. We’ve a transparent thought, however we want to perceive actually what’s the most suitable option for us. We’ve a extremely good relationship with Rinaldi. He’s like a son however racing is racing. He was so quick on day one for us. I hope he can proceed with Ducati as a result of we are going to attempt to discover him a spot. The ultimate choice shall be made within the subsequent few days.”
Ought to Bulega get the nod for the WorldSBK seat, it will go away a gap in WorldSSP on the group at present main the Championship. Like in World Superbike, a number of riders have been linked with the World Supersport group, however nothing has but been made official about that seat. When pressed for an replace on the WorldSSP state of affairs, Foti refused to call names about their goal.
He mentioned: “At this second, we tried to talk to many riders. Loads of riders additionally requested about using in WorldSSP. We should be sincere, and I attempt to be clear, now we have many riders and I attempt to converse to them. It’s just a little bit early however we’d additionally prefer to outline within the subsequent month.”
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