News 29 Aug 2019

Redding to Aruba.it Racing – Ducati as Bautista exit confirmed

Image: Supplied.

Aruba.it Racing – Ducati has revealed former MotoGP rider and current British Superbike contender Scott Redding will join Chaz Davies for the 2020 Motul FIM Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK), confirming the exit of Alvaro Bautista after just one season together.

Redding transferred to the British Superbike Championship (BSB) this year to pilot the Ducati Panigale V4 R with Be Wiser Ducati after a number of years on the grand prix circuit, however he’ll now make move to WorldSBK for the first in his career.

The British ace’s signing comes after a strange downturn in form for Spaniard Bautista, who dominated the opening rounds of this year’s WorldSBK season, stretching out a 60-point lead before numerous mistakes and crashes demoted him to second, where he currently sits 81 points behind leader Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team).

“I’m so happy to join the Aruba.it Racing – Ducati team, which is something that I’ve wanted for a long time, because to be able to work with a team that can fight for a world title is really a great opportunity for me,” Redding explained.

“Obviously now I have to remain fully focussed on the British Superbike Championship, because I want to try and win that title with the Be Wiser Ducati before stepping back up to a world championship again. A big thanks to all those people who have helped to make this dream happen, and now I can’t wait to get on the factory Panigale V4 R bike in the Superbike World Championship.”

Team principal Stefano Cecconi added: “It is with great pleasure that we welcome Scott into our team. Despite being a rookie in BSB, on his first experience with the Panigale V4 R and with numerous tracks he has never seen before, Scott has proved to be fast right out of the box and to be able to aim straight for the title.

“For this reason, we have been following him with interest and we were impressed with his form even before having to look for a teammate for Chaz in the coming seasons. With his determination and experience, I’m convinced he will be quick right from the start, even on a WSBK-spec bike.

“I wish to fondly bid goodbye to Alvaro and thank him for the incredible emotions that he has given us this year, he will surely be a difficult adversary to beat! Now however we must focus on the current season – we no longer have an advantage, but the world title battle is still open and we will give our maximum commitment to conclude our collaboration in the best possible way.”

Speculation has linked Bautista to a switch to Honda for 2020 after he turned down a contract extension with Ducati. Davies will continue on with the team for his seventh consecutive season aboard Ducati.