Ducati is back on track after the unlucky Superbike tests in Jerez. First time on this bike for the former MotoGP rider Tito Rabat and first time together for the new Aruba Ducati’s line-up formed by Redding and Rinaldi
After the Superbike test days in Jerez, where riders couldn’t drive because of the bad weather, Ducati comes back on track in Misano. There wasn’t Team Go Eleven, due to COVID-19 restrictions, but Barni Racing could give a chance to Tito Rabat to ride his Panigale V4 R for the first time. On track there was also the official Aruba.it Ducati team, with its new line-up formed by Rinaldi and Redding.
TITO RABAT’S INTERVIEW
For the former Moto2 champion, Tito Rabat, it was important to take advantage of this day to begin to understand his Panigale, 99% the same as that of the officials (word of Barnabò). The Spanish rider could complete 70 laps on the Italian circuit and his team was able to collect some useful information, even if the weather was foggy.
“My first impression with the new team and the new bike was positive“, he said at the end of the day. “To be honest, despite the weather conditions, today I had a lot of fun riding and trying some things on the saddle. I was able to discover the Ducati Panigale V4 R a bit, where my limit was in the first approach and where I can start working. For being just the first step it didn’t go wrong. I can’t wait for the next test to continue improving because I’ve seen that we can be competitive.” Even Barnabò said that the results of the day were good and he was satisfied with the test.
ARUBA DUCATI’S DRIVERS’ INTERVIEW
It’s been a good day also for Aruba Ducati team. The Italian rider, Michael Ruben Rinaldi, completed 53 laps, while his teammate, Scott Redding, stayed on track for 70 laps. We don’t know the timing, but after the test they were interviewed,, and they looked very happy.
“The first day with the 2021 bike went well”, Scott Redding begins. “We arrived this morning finding a lot of fog and we thought we couldn’t run. Fortunately the conditions improved during the day and we were able to try something ”. Recovering the feeling with Ducati was important: “I’m really happy, both for me and for the team. I felt the adrenaline flowing through my body again and the sensations on the bike are good; also there were some things to try and we succeeded. I think it was good for everyone to have been able to get on track today at Misano ”. The head is already in the future, with a new test in March. “We will return here for another day with the hope of finding good weather conditions. Now is the time to get back to training and be ready for the start of the season! “
MICHAEL RINALDI’S WORDS
Happiness also transpires from Michael Rinaldi: “I am happy with this first day of testing of the year. Unfortunately the weather conditions weren’t so good, but we managed to do some laps anyway”. In addition to the fog, the temperatures were really bad. “It was a bit cold and the asphalt didn’t offer great grip. We were careful and just tried to do miles to understand a few things. We concentrated on improving the feeling in a way, even if in these conditions it is difficult to reach the limit”. The positive feelings remain: “Getting back on the bike was great. There is a great desire to get back to racing, but we will have to wait a bit. I’m happy with the work done with the team and the whole team.”