The Aruba.it Racing – Ducati Team clinched the coveted 2023 WorldSBK Triple Crown: Championship, Rider, and Manufacturer.
As the 2023 WorldSBK season drew to a close, the Aruba.it Racing – Ducati team sealed their place in history by securing the WorldSBK Triple Crown. This monumental feat was realized through the Team’s Championship title, harmoniously adding to their earlier conquests of the Manufacturers’ and Riders’ titles.
The final race of the season was the stage of legends, with Alvaro Bautista instructing a master class of raw power and performance. The Spanish maestro, in an adrenaline-pumping showdown with Toprak Razgatlioglu, pushed boundaries, providing fans with a race to remember. Though Bautista crossed the finish line a fraction of a second behind Toprak, a penalty against Toprak (for exceeding track limits at the last corner) shifted the scales, handing Bautista his 27th victory of the season.
“I think it’s been a practically perfect season as well as this last weekend. We have won all the titles and I am very happy for the team. For me it was an even bigger emotion. To win in front of so many fans and my family, was great. In Race 2 I had a lot of fun, the duel with Toprak was fantastic: we fought in every corner but always in a fair way. I think everyone who saw the race got emotional. Now it’s time to celebrate even though from tomorrow we will start thinking about testing on Tuesday and Wednesday and the MotoGP Wild Card in Malaysia. The season is not over yet”. – Alvaro Bautista.
It wasn’t just Bautista who shone brightly for Ducati. Michael Rinaldi, with his commendable spirit, showcased true grit. Despite beginning from the eleventh position, Rinaldi zoomed through, claiming the third position at one juncture. Even though a technical hiccup saw him drop a few places, his eventual sixth-place finish proved pivotal in ensuring the team’s championship title.
“It wasn’t an easy weekend. We had a lot of difficulties on Saturday but the team did a great job finding a set-up that allowed me to push well during Race 2. I made a good comeback but unfortunately, while trying to keep the bike upright after a sudden lock-up, I felt a strong pain in my right shoulder that didn’t allow me to be competitive in the final and fight for the podium. However, I gritted my teeth and I am happy to have brought the team important points for the classification”. – Michael Rinaldi.
However, the Ducati WorldSBK Triple Crown journey would only be complete with lauding the incredible feat in the WorldSSP category. Nicolò Bulega, astride the powerful Ducati Panigale V2, embodied dominance. Finishing his spectacular season with an astonishing 16 victories, Bulega rightfully earned the title of World Supersport Champion.
“It has been an incredible year, the best so far in my career. We achieved fantastic results together with a team that welcomed me in an extraordinary way. I thank them, one by one, for giving me everything to be competitive again after a few difficult seasons.” – Nicolò Bulega.
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