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SBK, Rinaldi: "I want to stay with Ducati, but I don't choose the team"

"I'm trying to go fast and when the results arrive, anything can happen. I feel very good with the bike and this weekend I won't start with a specific goal"

SBK: Rinaldi: "I want to stay with Ducati, but I don't choose the team"

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Superbike with the Jerez and Portimao races certainly gave us a lot of food for thought. From the Redding-Rea rivalry, to the search for competitiveness for the Honda HRC team, passing through the various rider market talks. On the latter issue, the teams are trying to clarify by concluding the latest contract deals just like BMW did yesterday by making Tom Sykes official also for 2021.

Those who have not yet sorted out where they are going for next year are Ducati, which are still looking for either an agreement with Chaz Davies or a replacement. One of the riders identified to eventually replace the Brit is Michael Ruben Rinaldi, who has shown that he can go very fast with the V4R of Team GO Eleven and who is certainly thinking about a seat in the factory team.

“If you want to know about my future, you’re talking to the wrong person - said Michael on Thursday at Jerez - I only think about going fast on the track, then if the results arrive, anything can happen. I feel good both with the team and with the bike and I would certainly like to stay with Ducati again next year, but the choice of the team is not up to me. The official teams prefer to close the negotiations quickly, we'll see when there is something”.

The results for now have come with a world ranking that sees him in 9th position, fighting with Bautista and Baz for 7th position behind the factory Ducati, Yamaha and Kawasaki men.

"The season started in a convincing way, at Jerez we made a good step forward between Saturday and Sunday while at Portimao maybe there was a step back but it went well anyway. I am very happy with the way I am with the bike and now I am ready for this double weekend in Aragon ”.

We are now in Aragon for this double-header. Given the long straight, can the track favour Ducati?

"This is a track that I really like, and that can enhance the characteristics of the V4 but all the teams have come closer, perhaps only the Yamaha suffers a little more in terms of top speed. We have a great engine but we don't make full use of it because last year they took some revs from us ”.

What position do you think you can fight for this weekend? At Jerez you overtook Rea, do you still see yourself there fighting with the world champion?

“Surely having had the chance to pass him made me happy, it was the first time this has ever happened to me. Each race has its history, Rea will be in front but Scott and Chaz will be really strong. The Yamahas were in a bit more trouble during testing but we could also see them up front tomorrow. I don't have the goal of necessarily finishing in the top 5, I'm in an excellent situation and I think I can stay in line in the other races. I'm in an independent team that tries to fight with the factory teams, it's not easy but I'll try ”.

Photo Courtesy of Go Eleven Facebook

 

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