Ducati expecting more from Rinaldi in 2022 WorldSBK season

Ducati expects improved performance from Michael Rinaldi during the 2022 WorldSBK season after the Italian finished 221 points behind Scott Redding.
Michael Ruben Rinaldi, Portuguese WorldSBK, 1 October 2021
Michael Ruben Rinaldi, Portuguese WorldSBK, 1 October 2021
© Gold and Goose

Following a soli🔴d first season as an Aruba.it Ducati rider, Team Principal, Serafino Foti, wants to see more from Michael Rinaldi during the 2022 WorldSBK season.

The Italian claimed three wins throughout the 2021 season which was four less than team-mate Scott Redding, however, consistency was the main issue as it꧒ led to him🐭 finishing 221 points behind the new BMW rider. 

Rinaldi’s first two wins came at round t💟hree in Misa♐no as he utterly dominated race one and the Superpole race. 

Rinaldi then finished second in race two 𒁃behind eventual world champion Toprak Razgatlioglu, but the former GoEleven Ducati rid🐻er managed just one podium in his next 15 races which came at Assen when he initially finished fourth. 

Razgatlioglu and Pata Yamaha team-mate Andrea Locatelli we🍒re second and third during the Superpole race, before it was deemed both riders went onto the off-track green areas, therefore handing Rinaldi a fortuitous rostrum. 

He was then bettered by Locatelli for much of the season as the series 🌳rookie went on to pip Rinaldi to fourth in the standings. 

So while it was a decent first season in the factory team, it’s no surpri𓄧se Ducati wants to see more from the 26 year-old who will have the tough task of going up against Alvaro Bautista this year. 

When speaking about the 2021 season and Rinaldi in particular, Foti told the official World Superbike website: "Regarding Michael, the balance of the season is positౠive because he won races and finished the championship in the top five. 

"This is not so bad. Of course,ꦓ we expect more for next year. We need to work in some of our critical points, for example, we need to work regarding consꦑistent results. 

"So, if we improve this aspect, I think he can fight for the podium in every race next year🔥ꦕ."

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