Rinaldi shows intent in WSB test
Factory Ducati new boy under the lap record at two-day Misano test
‘We haven’t focused on lap times but just stuck to a plan’
Aruba Ducati’s Michael Ruben Rinaldi wasted no time in making an impression as WSB testing continued at Misano last week. As Yamaha joined the fray for the first time in 2021, it was Rinaldi who topped the timesheets and was under the lap record ahead of R1M duo Toprak Razgatlioglu and Garrett Gerloff.
It’s a strange but exciting time; the season would have traditionally started by now with round one in Australia in late February, but now the usual preseason hype is complemented by a genuine feeling that numerous riders could be dicing at the front. Using a qualifying tyre at the end of Tuesday, Rinaldi topped the timesheets with an effort of 1:33.688 – just shy of Tom Sykes’ Superpole record. The pace had already been hot on Monday as Razgatlioglu, Rinaldi and Redding all went underneath Jonathan Rea’s race lap record of 1:34.720. Following the Jerez washout of January and less than ideal Misano conditions earlier this year, last week’s test was effectively Rinaldi’s first since the Italian-Venezuelan became Scott Redding’s teammate in the factory Ducati squad.
“For most of this test we haven’t focused on lap times but just stuck to a plan,” explained 25-year-old Rinaldi. “I’m getting on really well with my crew, some of whom were new here. I’m really happy with everything.”
“We know Michael well because he’s been with us since 2017 when he won the Superstock championship, so he’s been in our family for five years,” adds Aruba Team Manager, Serafino Foti, who as a rider claimed the Italian CIV Superbike title in 1997 when Rinaldi was a one-year-old baby. Although the man himself insists it is early for predictions, the paddock is already pondering whether Rinaldi – a close friend of superstars Valentino Rossi and Andrea Dovizioso – could be a surprise WSB title challenger this year. On the other side of the Aruba garage is Redding; whether the Brit’s arms were folded defensively during his Tuesday interview was because of a lack of progress or the simple fact it was cold may perhaps only became apparent further down the line. “I’m trying to find myself more feeling with the new bike,” came Redding’s voice from behind a skull and crossbones face mask design. “I don’t really feel comfortable. We improved quite a lot but not as much as I would like. I stayed on the race tyre the whole time; no qualifying tyre and no SCX, and also worked hard on used tyres. Now I really want to confirm some things on a different circuit.” Another man in action last week was Alex Lowes who returned from shoulder surgery to test his Kawasaki alongside Honda in Jerez last Friday and Saturday where BMW’s much awaited M 1000RR also made its test debut.
Next week, the circus reunites for Barcelona testing after which teams must submit their final 2021 homologations to series bosses.