Manager Alberto Vergani talks about the future of his riders, in particular Petrucci and Bassani: both candidates for the official Ducati Superbike team.
By Matteo Bellan / Corsedimoto.com
On the 2023 World Superbike grid, there are still a few seats to fill, and among them, that of the Ducati team from Aruba. WhileAlvaro Bautista won his contract renewal thanks to excellent results, Michael Ruben Rinaldi matures and must gain confirmation. His place is coveted by several runners.
The 26-year-old rider from Rimini has performed somewhat below expectations this year, so his confirmation is considered in the balance. He started the championship well with three fourth places at Aragón, then Assen and Estoril were disappointing rounds. At Misano there was redemption, with podiums in race 1 and race 2. At Donington and Most it went pretty well. In the Czech Republic there remains the regret of the second race, in which he fell while fighting for the most important positions.
Michael Ruben Rinaldi still enjoys the confidence of the Aruba Ducati team, but it is important that when WorldSBK resumes he achieves important results and shows consistency. This is the only way to avoid the risk of changing teams in 2023.
Among the candidates for the place occupied by Rinaldi are Danilo Petrucci et Axel Bassani, who share the same manager: Alberto Vergani.
Let's start with Petrucci. How do you rate his experience in MotoAmerica Superbike?
« This option was born even before the Dakar and the objective is to win the championship. He took one step back, then two steps forward, to enter World Superbike with the factory Ducati team. That's what we want, then we'll see if we can close the circle. Today he is leading the championship thanks to considerable efforts. The bike is penalized a little by the fact that there are small tracks, with sections which are not those which allow the engine to express its potential. He's fighting, he's got a team growing with him and I hope it goes as well as possible. His victory would be good for MotoAmerica and also for Ducati itself, because the American market is very important. »
The dream is World Superbike with the Ducati factory team, but is there also a possibility of staying in MotoAmerica?
« Either you stay in America in different conditions or you go to World Superbike if it's possible. There is a close relationship with Ducati. Danilo is held in high esteem by Domenicali, Dall'Igna and Ciabatti. »
If he moves to WorldSBK, do you imagine him being able to immediately fight with the best in the category to win?
« Danilo is a strong and generous runner, with significant experience. The season in MotoAmerica brought him closer than before to World Superbike. When he tried the bike with Pirelli tires, albeit with Bautista's settings, he immediately saw the difference and it was also evident in the times. He won two races in MotoGP, for example Joan Mir only won one despite being champion. At Mugello he beat the real Márquez. Sometimes he seems a little underrated to me. Even what he did in the Dakar was extraordinary, he himself was surprised by the results. Besides, they told me not to let him go… »
Is it possible to see him in World Superbike as a wild card in 2022? There had been speculation about his presence in Portimão, where Gagne, his rival in the United States, will be.
« We talked about it, then it was put on hold. I think more no than yes, although ideas can always change in the end. It would be good, also because there would be the challenge between him and Gagne again. It's not up to us to decide. »
What is Bassani’s situation?
«
In the meantime, I have to say that I found a guy who is really capable, and mentally strong, considering his age, which is a lot. I really enjoyed that. What he is doing is definitely positive, then Ducati will decide. There were praises from Yamaha and Kawasaki, but no offers. At this point everything is open, but the idea is to maintain continuity with this bike and eventually with this team. Ducati likes him, he is appreciated by Domenicali and Dall'Igna. »
You also look after Caricasulo, what comment do you make on his season?
« With Federico, we found a wonderful operation at the last minute with Genesio Bevilacqua. He's doing pretty well, but there's also been some bad luck and it's clear there's still work to do. The idea for the future is to continue with the Althea team. When you find the right match with a motorcycle, then you need to consolidate. I would like Genesio to come back to Superbike and bring Caricasulo, it would be a dream.
»
Among your runners, there is also Savadori. What are the plans for him?
« Lorenzo is a great guy, he is a test pilot but he would like to be a regular pilot. He hoped to have a place in the satellite team, but he must still be happy, because behind Aprilia's victory there is also his work. He will certainly have the opportunity to do wild card work or replace another rider in the event of an absence. We haven't renewed yet, but we are discussing it. »
In the past you also dealt with Bastianini: did you expect him to become a protagonist in MotoGP?
« I followed him when we did the deal with Gresini in Moto3. We immediately saw that he was a talent, then he got a little lost when he decided to join Alzamora's team. He could have arrived in Moto2 earlier. The technicians said that with more powerful motorcycles it would perform better. I'm not surprised how far he goes. If he is well focused, he is very strong. For me he will be the official Ducati MotoGP rider, I see him more ready than Martín and he deserves the place.
»
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Matteo Bellan
Photo: Instagram/Brian Nelson
