'Wearing' factory Ducati 'colours is a great honour' - Rinaldi

Ducati and their riders Michael Ruben Rinaldi and Scott Redding, showcase first images of the new Panigale V4 R at the team's official launch in Italy ahead of the 2021 WorldSBK campaign. 

Rinaldi makes the move from Go Eleven Ducati into the factory Aruba.it team for 2021, and joins last season's championship runner-up Redding as the team go in search of their first title since 2011.

It will be his fourth season in the premier class, but the first where Rinaldi will be expected to become a championship contender. 

Rinaldi flashed his potential on occasions as a rookie in 2018 and 2019, but last season was a breakthrough year for the Italian as he claimed his first win in the World Superbike championship. 

Consistency was key to his successful season which produced that maiden win along with a second and third place finish all coming at Aragon. Aside from two DNF's, Rinaldi finished all but one race inside the top ten.

Speaking at the team presentation, Rinaldi said: "In 2020, I got my first WorldSBK win, and it will always be a beautiful memory. However, the goals are higher now, and I will work hard to achieve great results with the Aruba.it Racing - Ducati team.

"After winning the Superstock 1000 Title with the Aruba Junior team, now it's like coming home to my family.

"Wearing these colours is a great honour, and that makes me very proud, as I think it makes all the guys in the team proud because it means that the path we have taken has been positive."

The big advantage that Rinaldi will have going into the 2021 season compared to previous years, is the full support from Ducati which he also alluded to.

"Joining the factory team also means having all the support from Ducati, the guys on the track and everyone who works at Borgo Panigale," said the 25 year-old.

"I want to tell my team that I'll do everything I can to make sure they have fun during the 2021 season, while I want like to ask the fans to continue to support us even if there will be some difficult moments because thanks to their warmth, we'll be able to overcome them in a big way."

Rinaldi has already had his first action aboard the factory Panigale V4 R with a recent two day test at Misano, and will next be in action at the Official WorldSBK test on March 31-2 April.