Bulega replaces Rinaldi as Bautista’s teammate for 2024
The World Supersport Championship leader will head to the Aruba.it Racing – Ducati outfit for next year in WorldSBK, partnering reigning Champion and Championship leader, Alvaro Bautista
A new name will make his debut on the 2024 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship grid next year as Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team) gets the nod to race alongside Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati). The current WorldSSP Championship leader has long been linked with the seat next to the #1 and his future is now secure as Ducati puts faith in their World Supersport star. He will take the place of Michael Ruben Rinaldi whose future with the Ducati squad is coming to an end after three seasons, three wins and 16 podiums to date.
The Italian was the first rider signed for Ducati’s World Supersport comeback in 2022, the manufacturer’s first WorldSSP appearances since 2007. Bulega switched from the MotoGP™ paddock after competing in 50 Moto3™ races, taking two podiums and two pole positions, as well as three seasons in Moto2™ where he was unable to showcase his potential. Prior to that, the 23-year-old competed in the FIM CEV Moto3™ Junior World Championship (now JuniorGP™) and claimed the title in his second season in 2015, taking one win at Jerez.
However, his World Supersport success has been one of his main career highlights; 2022 promised a lot but a first race win eluded him all-season. A strong start to the year welcomed him into the class with eight podiums in 15 races, but then just one more podium was achieved in the final nine, leaving him fourth in the Championship with three fastest laps and a total of nine rostrums.
For 2023, Bulega was the second-highest placed returnee to the class from the year before, with Can Oncu (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) set to challenge him hard. However, a majestic start to the year saw him storm to a Phillip Island double, whilst Oncu and Federico Caricasulo (Althea Racing Team) fought back in Indonesia at Mandalika. Four wins in the next five races came Bulega’s way however, whilst it was now Stefano Manzi (Ten Kate Racing Yamaha) who was his main threat after Oncu’s injury. A double by Bulega at Donington Park saw his lead extend but fellow countryman Manzi retaliated with a double of his own at Imola, with his lead down to 41 ahead of Most.
Redding confirmed at Bonovo Action BMW as van der Mark partners Razgatlioglu for 2024 at the BMW Factory team
Scott Redding will move out of his current factory BMW seat and across to to the Bonovo Action BMW outfit to partner Garrett Gerloff, thus confirming Michael van der Mark as Toprak Razgatlioglu’s 2024 teammate at the factory BMW team. It has been a bit confusing working out who goes where but all is revealed. Good friends Razgatlioglu and van der Mark will combine and spearhead BMWs Factory' efforts. (Both were race winners as teammates for Yamaha.) BMW is hoping the two mates will drive each other and with it the BMW project to new heights.
As for the Bonovo Action BMW team, Scott Redding will replace Loris Baz and join Garrett Gerloff, who he is battling with in 2023 for top BMW honours. Gerloff took the manufacturer's first pole for 2 years last time out at Magny-Cours, whilst securing a double top five in the races.
* I started life with nothing, and still have most of it left
“Good drivers have dead flies on the side windows!” (Walter Röhrl)
* I married Miss Right. Just didn't know her first name was Always
Bassani is the Rea replacement at Kawasaki for 2024
Axel Bassani (Motocorsa Racing) snapped up by the Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK for next year. Bassani, who has been on the lookout for a factory ride for the past two seasons, will now have the opportunities of his childhood dreams, racing in factory green alongside Alex Lowes. Kawasaki thus become the fourth manufacturer to confirm their factory line-up, with just Honda remaining at the time of announcement;
Summarised 2024 rider line-up with confirmed riders. TBA = to be announced
Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK: Alex Lowes and Axel Bassani
Aruba.it Racing – Ducati: Alvaro Bautista and Nicolo Bulega
ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team: Toprak Razgatlioglu and Michael van der Mark
Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK: Andrea Locatelli and Jonathan Rea
Bonovo Action BMW: Garrett Gerloff and Scott Redding
GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team: Dominique Aegerter and Remy Gardner
Marc VDS Ducati: Sam Lowes
Barni Spark Racing Team: Danilo Petrucci
All remaining teams: TBA
* I started life with nothing, and still have most of it left
“Good drivers have dead flies on the side windows!” (Walter Röhrl)
* I married Miss Right. Just didn't know her first name was Always
