WorldSBK: Alvaro Bautista makes decision on whether to run #19 or #1 ahead of title defence

Alvaro Bautista has made his decision on whether to defend the WorldSBK title with the #1 plate or #19, which will be announced when Aruba.it Ducati officially launch their 2023 bike on Monday.
Alvaro Bautista, Ducati WorldSBK Phillip Island
Alvaro Bautista, Ducati WorldSBK Phillip Island

Following a similar path to MotoGP world champion 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Francesco Bagnaia, Bautista will either swap from his traditional #19 or us🌳e the #1 which has been a constant൩ presence between champions of late.

Unlike MotoGP where the last rider to use the #1 as a defending champion was 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Casey Stoner, WorldSBK champions have often d🧔onned the #1, with Carlos Checa thꦬe last rider not to do so over ten years ago. 

168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Tom Sykes, Sylvain Guintoli, 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Jonathan Rea and 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Toprak Razgatlioglu all changed to th✱e #1 af♔ter winning their maiden titles. 

“I think I made the decision,” said Bautista on his social media. “But if you want to see what number I put on this bike, pay close attention. Monday at 10.30, Spain and Italy time, you will all🐓 see it. I've already made my decision but I hope you like it."

Like the Spaniard, Bagnaia is also yet to publicly announce what𝓀 number he will choose, although the Italian is yet to make a decision unlike Bautista. ⭕;

If Bagnaia goes ahead with the #1 then it will be the first time since 2012 that it has been used in MotoGP, after 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Jorge Lorenzo, 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Marc Marquez, Joan Mir and 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Fabio Quartararo all chose not to run the number. 

Bautista and Michael Ruben Rinaldi will officially be unveiling their brand new 2023 Panigale V4 R on Monday, January 23, alongside the Lenovo Ducati MotoGP Teamဣ. 

Both Bautista and 🍸Rinaldi will then be on-track for the first time this year a𝔍s they take part in a two-day test at Jerez on January 25-26. 

Also making their first appearances on the new Panigale V4 R will 🌳be all three satellite Ducati riders 🎶Axel Bassani, Danilo Petrucci and Phillip Oettl.  

Ducati are the only manufacturer to have their 2023 bike launch confirmed as o𝓡f now, although more announcements are expected soon.

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