SBK, market madness: will Rinaldi return to Go Eleven or move to Supersport

The cover image depicts Michael Ruben Rinaldi, current factory Aruba Ducati rider. The Italian rides in an official capacity this year, having won the independent SBK sub-class last year.

The number 21 rider beat all riders in a similar condition in 2020 while competing for Go Eleven, the team headed up by Denis Sacchetti and Gianni Ramello. They then went their separate ways, despite the relationship remaining strong. Also because the parties did very well together.

So much so that certain people – us included – see them together again in the future. Maybe already in 2022. Team and rider would receive factory support. But why the crazy theory you might ask? Well, firstly, the return of Alvaro Bautista has a bearing on the situation. And that’s not all.

 Petrux faces a dilemma, SBK or no SBK? Yes, but only if factory

Danilo will leave the reigning MotoGP class, unless he chooses to work as test rider/ambassador for KTM. With some rally raids too of course. But what’s the betting that Petrucci would still like a fixed role, with the chance to battle for something?

Hence, the contact with Ducati, a brand he already raced with in MotoGP. And then left. And yet here we are, the Italian and Borgo Panigale pursuing each other with seemingly no memory of the past. Or perhaps they do remember, and are looking to start over? For the rider it would be a more than inviting proposal, a beautiful Aruba-branded V4 R.

And so Rino might return to Go Eleven, a partnership that we know has worked in the past. Unless any other (red) option comes along to tempt the Italo-Venezuelan.

The 955 wants to do well. In the meantime, Lecuona comes knocking

Once the next Supersport technical regulation is confirmed, Ducati is intent on competing in a direct, or rather official, way. Aruba likes the idea, and we bet Dorna, FIM, TV and Pirelli do too. Us too in fact.

And which rider would suit a brand-new project in need of positive feedback? Rinaldi, definitely. He’s the right person, still young, appealing to sponsors, media and fans alike. He also has a strong right wrist.

As well as his independent title, Michael Ruben was a multiple race winner in Superstock. He went as far as to win the title in 2017. Not bad. Surely there’s no-one already in Ducati who could do better than Rino. Or might he go to Go Eleven? Yes, but there’s also talk of Iker Lecuona moving to Go Eleven, which would constitute something of a market bombshell.

Translated by Heather Watson

Ducati SBK: Redding out to make room for the tried and tested