Jerez WorldSBK: Michael Ruben Rinaldi to announce 2024 plans on Monday, Philipp Oettl ‘considering WorldSSP’

Michael Ruben Rinaldi has confirmed he has signed a deal with a team in WorldSBK and will announce his plans following this weekend’s season-finale at Jerez.
Michael Rinaldi, Ducati WorldSBK Portimao 2023
Michael Rinaldi, Ducati WorldSBK Portimao 2023

Rinaldi will move on from the factory Ducati tꦿeam aftᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚer being replaced by WorldSSP champion Nicolo Bulega.

The Italian was expected to be a contender for one of the Team HRC machines before Honda confirme♚d their plans to continue with Iker Lecuona and Xavi Vierge.

But Rinaldi has since found a new home, saying: “The situation is clear but with the new teamꦑ, we decided not to ﷽say anything until the end of the race on Sunday. 

“We’ll make an announcement on Monda꧋y; I’ll enjoy the last races in these colours and then think about 2024.”

Another Ducati rider who has been trying to remain in WorldSBK 🐈but appears to be havinওg a much tougher time of doing so is Philipp Oettl.

Th🔯e German is set to be replaced by Andrea Iannone and GoEleven Ducati, and admits his future may not be in the premier class.

“At the moment, there’s n🐲o concrete plans,” said Oettl. “There was a lot of talk over the last few months, and, in the end, all the options went away. 

“Now, I don’t have any real plans. Of course, I wanted to ওarrive with a contract ꦰin hand to be sure for next year but now the situation is a little bit different. 

“I’ve considered moving to Wo🌊rldSSP because you have to be open for everything. There were some𝕴 options but, in the end, but I have to consider that I’m 27 and I’m doing a good job, but I don’t want to go into a test team. 

“It was an option and still is. Endurance is a thing and so’s the USA. I’m open for everything but I know it’s quite late, but it has to be a good option. I have my personal goalꦆs and I still want to achieve them.”

Axel Bassani wants to give Motocorsa ‘a gift’ at Jerez 

Axel Bassani, Portuguese WorldSBK, 30 September
Axel Bassani, Portuguese WorldSBK, 30 September

Bassani will have one of the toughest jobs in WorldSBK history, which is to replace s🧜ix-time world chaไmpion Jonathan Rea at Kawasaki. 

The Italian has been in the Superbike class for three ye💙ars, all of which have come aboard the Motocorsa Ducati, meaning his switc🧸h to Kawasaki will also be his first factory ride.

Aiming to finish his journey with Ducati on a positive note, Bassani said this about the season-finale: “It’s a special one. We h𒁏ad a long story with three years together. I started in WorldSBK with Motocorsa so it’s like a family for me. 

“I’ll try to give 100% on the track to end the season with a really good resu🎀lt, try to enjoy it with my team and after, on Sunday night, we’ll have a party! 

“I want to give a gift to Motocorsa to try to win the best Independent Riders’ title and eไnd the season in a good way. I want to jump on the new bike to try to understand what I expect for me next season. It’s totally differ🅠ent to go from Ducati to Kawasaki. 

“There are a lot of changes, I hope these changes help to b🏅e nearer to Ducatಞi for the Japanese bikes. Andrea Iannone is a big name for WorldSBK and brings a lot of light to the championship. 

“I’m happy about Andrea’s arrival, I hope to battle with him on track and we will see if we can beat him or n🅠ot!”

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