[kropotkin thinks...] - 2023 World Superbike Preview: Ducati - In Search Of A Number

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2023 World Superbike Preview: Ducati - In Search Of A Number 2 For Number 1

By Steve English | Wed, 22/02/2023 - 09:10

Having a strong second rider has become increasingly important in motorcycle racing. In WorldSBK Ducati has World Champion Alvaro Bautista as their team leader but Steve English asks who will be the next man up for the Bologna firm?

It’s been almost 20 years since Ducati claimed back-to-back WorldSBK titles, but with an updated Panigale V4R that has left Alvaro Bautista purring at both the Jerez and Portimão tests the Spaniard looks very well placed to do just that in 2023.

“The new bike has a more linear power delivery,” explained Bautista after his first sampling of the 2023 wares. “I feel comfortable and it has a lot of potential because the lap time came easily. I am faster mid corner with this bike but I still need to improve on corner exit to accelerate better. Overall, I’m very happy with the winter and I’m looking forward to Phillip Island. I’ve enjoyed riding the bike in Jerez and Portimão and my only target for Australia is to enjoy it.”

With Bautista locked in for a strong title defence one of the most interesting subplots of the coming season becomes what happens for the other Ducati riders as they scrap it out for a factory ride next year.

Prodigal Petrucci

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