Ducati has unveiled its 'Christmas surprise': Five different limited edition Panigale racing replicas inspired by the liveries of its top five riders in this year's MotoGP, WorldSBK and WorldSSP championships.
Nicolo Bulega expects a 'tough' WorldSSP campaign with returning Ducati, while fellow rookie Lorenzo Baldassarri has clear goals in mind; 'I think I will go with the championship as the main focus'.
Valentino Rossi has confirmed three riders will depart his VR46 Academy junior programme at the end of the 2019 season, prompting a search for ‘new faces’ he admits will be tricky.
Nicolo Bulega is to leave both the VR46 Riders Academy and Sky Racing VR46 Moto2 Team at the end of this season. The young Italian won the 2015 CEV Moto3 Junior World Championship for Valentino Rossi's Junior Team, leading to a VR46 grand prix ride the following year.
Nicolo Bulega will sit out the United States round in Moto2 to undergo surgery to relieve severe arm pump, while Sky Racing VR46 has opted not to call on a replacement rider.
Valentino Rossi says his Sky Racing VR46 team will be the “protagonists” in the Moto2 and Moto3 world title battles and has urged his riders to relish the fight in 2019.