Team Aruba to debut in MotoE: Chaz Davies the star turn

Unsatiable. This is how we might define the Ducati Aruba team that prepares for a new challenge in the MotoGP paddock after a 2023 that brought titles in both Superbike and Supersport. We’re not talking about the reigning class, where Stefano Cecconi’s outfit has already competed as a wildcard, but rather MotoE, where the squad is set to take the place of the Pramac team.

The news had been in the air for weeks, but the project is really taking shape now, with the first of the team’s two riders already confirmed. We’re talking about a man who spent arguably the best years of his career with Aruba, and who continues to have a role within the team. Having concluded his SBK adventure in 2021, Chaz Davies moved to the Ducati ERC team in Endurance, while also working as coach for the Aruba riders in Superbike and Supersport.

Aiming high with Davies

Commitments that will now need to be reassessed, seeing as the Welshman is going to be the star turn for a team eager to score immediate results in MotoE. And with a rider of Davies’ calibre, the squad is very likely to be a frontrunner, perhaps even a title contender.

Chaz won’t be the team’s only rider, but we’ll have to wait and see who will join him in the garage. First in line for the role is Andrea Mantovani who, after scoring two wins in 2023, has unfortunately been left without a team after the withdrawal of RNF. Also in the running is Matteo Ciprietti, less well known perhaps but nevertheless very interesting. 2023 saw the Italian compete in the Italian CIV Supersport class, despite some physical problems.