As the sun loungers begin to be stored away for another season, the umbrellas folded down and the beach towels washed, the WorldSBK break is certainly drawing to a close. That means a return to track action, as well as potential announcements for the 2024 grid. Whilst the silly season rumour mill has certainly not stopped, one key seat up for grabs and to be announced in the coming weeks will be the second factory Ducati seat in the Aruba.it Racing – Ducati team. We’ve been told ‘after summer’ so far and one rider is making the headlines for the seat: Nicolo Bulega, and he’s got the backing of the current factory riders too. Get your full run-down of all silly-season gossip here, with over half the grid and half of the factory seats still to be filled.

It’s been a stellar season for Bulega in the FIM Supersport World Championship, with the #11 giving Ducati a first win in WorldSSP since 2005 at Phillip Island’s season-opener, and he’s been the rider to beat ever since. Nine wins in total, four other podiums and a 46-point lead in the Championship standings over Stefano Manzi (Ten Kate Racing Yamaha), it’s easy to see why Bulega is being touted as Alvaro Bautista’s (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) teammate for next year. Another reason is that he’s enjoyed several tests, where he impressed Ducati Corse General Manager Gigi Dall’Igna, who hailed the 23-year-old as “quite fast” on track.

BULEGA CALM: a big move to a dream seat for 2024?

Coming from the horse’s mouth, Bulega previously provided an update on his future at Most: “Nothing; I just want to stay focused on my Championship as now, it’s the most important. The future is also important but I just want to focus on the present and let my manager and the team do their work.” Prior to that, Previously, Stefano Cecconi, Aruba.it Racing – Ducati team principal, said it “makes sense” to see Bulega in WorldSBK for 2024 and that is “regardless” of 2023’s end result in World Supersport.

Speaking previously about his seat being at risk, Rinaldi stated Bulega deserves a chance: “I think that on Ducati’s side, it can be a move that is normal and for sure, I wouldn’t be upset. It’s normal that a young guy like Nicolo deserves a chance; I think that for him, it could be risky to go straight to a factory seat but if I was in his shoes, I’d do it because who says no to a factory team?”

Teammate Alvaro Bautista echoed Rinaldi’s sentiments: “I read the rumours; I think Bulega is a nice rider and he’s very fast, doing well in WorldSSP. For sure, he wants to go to WorldSBK next year but I don’t know where or with which team. He deserves an opportunity to come to WorldSBK and show his potential.”

Keeping coy, Serafino Foti – team manager for the team in the WorldSBK class – named Bulega as a candidate,whilst remaining open to the fact that others are in the running before a decision should be made at Magny-Cours: “We have some options, but Bulega could be the option at the moment. We haven’t made any decision yet and I think we won’t announce our 2024 line-up until Magny-Cours.”

RINALDI’S FUTURE: a change to come?

It’s not been the strongest of seasons for the four-time race winner, of which three have been achieved in factory Ducati colours since 2021 – in fact, they all came in 2021. Since then, podiums have been bagged but the #21 has struggled to challenge teammate Alvaro Bautista or even stay in touch with Axel Bassani (Motocorsa Racing) at times, as the Independent rider is ahead of him by some distance in the Championship. 

“I don’t know yet,” began Rinaldi when talking of his future at Most, with nothing decided. “I’m quiet for now and we’ll see what’s going to happen. From Ducati, there’s no rush to sign and they haven’t said to me yes or no. We are working to see what our other options can be in case they tell me ‘no’. Last year, we decided in September, which was too late, as I didn’t have another seat available. This year, I tried to find a solution before and for sure I’ll try to stay with this family. However, at this moment, I’m peaceful and I just want to ride the bike and find a good feeling with that.”

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Source: WorldSBK.com