RINALDI’S DUKES OF HAZARD
It’s clear to see by watching his face when he’s asked: Michael Ruben Rinaldi is feeling the pressure from Axel Bassani – both young Italians, the former is in the factory Ducati team and the latter is vying for his place ahead of another year with the Motocorsa customer squad. As if things weren’t complicated enough, enter Philipp Oettl with GoEleven. It’s a hazardous situation for Rinaldi.
Rinaldi is one of WSB’s sweetest guys – but don’t be fooled by the smile. The 26-year-old from Rimini has a fire burning within him. Remember the words that came out of his mouth when he finished second to Toprak Razgatlioglu in Misano’s third race, having won the previous two? “I hate finishing second.” He really meant it. That’s another reason frustrations have been building. Rinaldi is an excellent rider. He won the Coppa Italia 125 championship at 15, then beat Toprak in a straight fight for the 2017 European Superstock 1000 title after narrowly losing out in Superstock 600. But he’s now on one of WSB’s most competitive ever grids.
Like Rinaldi, 22-year-old Bassani takes fitness extremely seriously, resembling a WWE wrestler more than a motorcycle racer. His performances in Argentina and Indonesia last season were scintillating, making up the leading quartet with Toprak, Rea and Redding. Rain is a real leveller – and he almost won a wet race in Barcelona.
Never a winner in World Supersport, some shot down Oettl for bringing big money from German sponsors. Did he deserve the place vacated by Chaz Davies? He’s certainly delivered some surprise results across the winter.
Rinaldi is Ducati’s baby, heavily backed by sponsor Aruba. But there’s a reason he’s appointed the services of renowned rider manager Michael Bartholemy, who also looks after Scott Redding and Eugene Laverty. Stand by for drama with the dukes!