Ducati and Aruba Team to Sign Contract Extension at Misano?

RiderTua.com – The 10-year collaboration between Ducati and the Aruba team in the World Superbike Championship will end in the 2024 season. Last April, Aruba boss Stefano Cecconi met with Ducati sporting director Mauro Grassilli in Assen and talked about continuing the contract. Both parties agreed to continue everything together.

Cecconi wants to extend his contract with Ducati Corse as quickly as possible, then he will negotiate with the riders. In 2025 Aruba has an option for Nicolo Bulega, while reigning champion and league leader Alvaro Bautista’s contract expires after this season. The Spanish rider will most likely only sign an annual contract because he will be 40 years old on November 21 2024.

Ducati and Aruba Team to Sign Contract Extension at Misano?

At Assen, Alvaro Bautista assured that he is not currently thinking about the 2025 season and does not want to rush things. He will make a decision soon. It would not be a surprise if Aruba and Ducati used their home race at Misano in mid-June to make the announcement.

Cecconi said, “I believe and hope so.”

When asked if he believes Bautista is motivated and willing to continue with the contract? “But can I be 100 percent sure? He has to decide whether he wants to retire as world champion or still wants the trust given to him. Last time he also had to decide whether he prefers racing or wants to take care of his family. Because there is also this point.” Cecconi replied.

After a difficult start to the season, Bautista leads the standings with 3rd, 1st and 2nd finishes at Assen. After 9 races he was 6 points ahead of his rival Toprak Razgatlioglu (BMW).

Cecconi added that the aim was to slow him down with the new technical rules and put more pressure on him. But it was like ‘relighting the fire’. If the challenge is not difficult enough for him, the fun will be less. Toprak didn’t give him anything. And now there are additional challenges such as new drivers and very strong teammates. All of this combined had the opposite effect on him. The more we try to slow him down, the more he wants to win. That’s the positive impact of bad regulations.

What about Nicolo Bulega? “It looks like we took that option. It’s hard to believe what he’s shown as a newcomer. He consistently performs well everywhere, in all conditions. He even had surgery before Assen. It’s not a normal arm pump operation, but it’s much bigger. But he is fast. I see no reason to change my team. But it is not just my decision,” concluded the Aruba team boss.