2024 was not the best year for Ducati’s interests in SBK, especially if we compare it with the previous seasons. Even so, both Álvaro Bautista and especially Nicolo Bulega, fought for the title in the case of Italian until the last date of the season. They could not stop Toprak Razgatlioglu, but they were able to finish second in the case of Bulega and third in the Baptist’s.
It is for that reason that everyone expects the two Ducati pilots to be able to bring the Panigale V4R to the limit again, and fight again to take number 1. That is the objective that both Bautista and Bulega have made public During the official presentation of the team, which took place in Bergamo (Italy) just over a week that the season starts.
A presentation that is the last of the teams that are called to fight for the WSBK 2025 but that, likewise, has captured the attention by having in their ranks the most complete and competitive tandem in the category.
And it is that if they demonstrated Bautista and Bulega in 2024 is that, despite the complications they had and that in the case of Bautista with injuries included, they were the best in the rest.
The four protagonists of Ducati gave their views
In fact, in the Baptist and Bulega presentation they have been ambitious and safe of their possibilities. This said Álvaro during the presentation of the team about it:
“I am very motivated for this season, the fifth with the Aruba.it Racing – Ducati and the fourth consecutive team. Last year it was more difficult than expected, but we still got positive results, ending third parties in the championship. It is clear that expectations are higher this season, and if I have decided to continue competing, it is because I feel that I am still physical and mentally competitive. We will try to find good feelings from the beginning and have fun. I thank the Aruba Racing team already Ducati its support and commitment. I will do everything possible to correspond to this trust obtaining excellent results. ”
For his part, Bulega, who left his rookie year in the category with excellent regularity and speed, commented:
“I am delighted to start my second year with the Aruba.it Racing – Ducati team. I have a lot of confidence in what we did last season. 2024 was very positive, and an excellent feeling has been created within the team. We started in Australia, where last year I got my first victory in my debut, so expectations are high. The first objective is to return home to Phillip Island with an even better memory. ”
More restrained was Stefano Cecconi, the main team of the Aruba.it aware of the adaptation work ahead:
“In 2024, we fought until the last race, and we know that the season that is about to begin will also offer us a perhaps even harder challenge. However, we feel prepared to face it to the fullest and with maximum motivation. The weather during the winter tests did not allow us . I know the worth of our pilots and the team well, so I only have to wish everyone for the best of luck. ”
He also showed his Gigi Dall’igna impressions, General Manager of Ducati Cors who was present in the presentation:
“A new season begins in Worldsbk with the same always goal for the Aruba.it Racing – Ducati team: fight for the title of pilots that we did not achieve last year and try to bring it again on Burgus Panigale. This is our mission, and we will give everything to achieve the goal. It is a difficult challenge, we are aware of the level of our rivals, but we know what needs to be done, we have already demonstrated it in the past.
We know perfectly the potential of our pilots, Álvaro Bautista and Nicolò Bulega, who have been world champions in several categories and that in 2024 they fought for the world championship until the end and were competitive in almost all races with the Panigale V4 R. We are impatient to see Álvaro and Nicolò go to the track with the new decorations in the next test in Australia and in the first race in Phillip Island, a really special track. Let’s not forget the world titles by teams and builders that we won last year, let’s start from here and continue in this direction. I am sure it will be a season full of emotions, we will have a lot of fun. ”
