Ducati has just confirmed Álvaro Bautista’s new teammate for 2024 in the World Superbike Championship, with Nicolo Bulega being chosen.
The current leader of the Supersport world championship had already been rumored to take over from Michael Ruben Rinaldi, as the #11’s good performances and Rinaldi’s non-renewal meant that this change could already be in the plans.
Confirmation has only just arrived, however, with Bulega then arriving at the italian manufacturer’s flagship team just three years after making his WSSP debut, as the first to sign a contract then with the Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team in 2022.
Rinaldi, meanwhile, bids farewell to the team three years after his arrival, where he has so far taken three victories and 16 podiums.
Stefano Cecconi, the Team Principal at Aruba.it Racing – Ducati, welcome the italian: ‘Nicolo is a choice that makes us proud because it confirms the quality of the project, we undertook two years ago in World Supersport. His growth has been steady, and we expect him to continue this path riding a Panigale V4 R, as he has proven he can be very fast with this bike during testing. From the beginning, we have believed in the talent of Nicolo who, moreover, in this year and a half has shown great professionalism and attachment to the colours of the team’.
And didn’t forgot Rinaldi: ‘I would also like to address a big thank you to Michael Ruben Rinaldi with whom the professional and human relationship has always been very strong. Even if our paths separate, he will always be part of our family. Good luck Michael!’.