SBK, official: Bulega to flank Bautista at Ducati Aruba in 2024

The news was already in the air and tests completed with the Ducati Panigale V4 R in recent months left little room for doubt, but now, just a few days before the Magny-Cours round, confirmation has arrived. Nicolò Bulega will compete in World Superbike with the factory Ducati Aruba team in 2024, alongside Alvaro Bautista.

A move as SSP world champion?

The Italian is enjoying a stellar season in Supersport with the Aruba Panigale V2, having amassed nine wins and a further four podiums to date. He currently leads the championship with a 46-point advantage over Stefano Manzi.

In the aforementioned tests with the V4 R, Nicolò has shown to be ready to move up to the reigning class, but will he make the move as 2023 SSP world champion? And will his arrival on the factory team in place of Michael Ruben Rinaldi make the Ducati even more competitive next season?

Bulega: “A dream come true"

“I want to be honest: this is a dream coming true. Racing for an official team is the desire of every rider. Therefore, before I talk about my emotions and expectations, I want to thank Ducati and Aruba.it Racing” admits Nicolò. “I am also extremely grateful for the opportunity I was given already last season by Aruba.it and Feel Racing and especially by Stefano Cecconi, Serafino Foti and Daniele Casolari. They chose me to ride a fantastic Ducati Panigale V2, on which I felt immediately comfortable.”

I know how important this opportunity is and I will always give my best to improve myself, day after day, with the only goal of getting the best possible results”, continues the young Italian. “I say it again: thank you for the trust. Thinking about the history of this Team, where great champions have always raced, I feel proud to be able to defend the same colors. Also, I am very happy to be able to share the box with Alvaro Bautista. Having him as a teammate will be a big plus: I will try to absorb every information I can learn from him.”