Team Pedercini announce Hernández and Ruiu for 2019
The Italian team will have two bikes on the WorldSBK grid next season
Every passing day the full rider line-up for the 2019 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship season becomes a little clearer. Team Pedercini Racing has become the latest team to confirm who will be riding their machines next season by announcing Yonny Hernández and Gabriele Ruiu, as the team introduces a second ZX-10RR to the WorldSBK grid.
Currently in his maiden season in the championship, Hernández has once again been entrusted for Team Pedercini’s project. Eighteenth in the 2018 standings with 24 points, the 30-year-old Colombian will be given the chance to show his full potential on the ZX-10RR in 2019, with a full season of experience behind him added to his many years in the MotoGP™ paddock.
18-year-old Gabriele Ruiu meanwhile has competed this year in the European Superstock 1000 Championship for Team Pedercini, showing tremendous potential and pace in his first full season in the series. The teenager from Rome is ninth in the STK1000 standings with 33 points from six races and will be one to watch as he makes the jump to WorldSBK as one of, if not the youngest rider on the grid.
Team Manager Lucio Pedercini showed his confidence in Hernández following his 2019 renewal: “Yonny is a professional, a very careful, collaborative and professional driver, he is gradually becoming more confident with the bike and the team: a sign that professionalism and a vehicle are working in the same direction. I see him very motivated and focused, he is the rider I strongly wanted for this season and that I immediately confirmed for the next season”.
Speaking on Ruiu: “Gabriele, is a young talent, who however has drawn the attention of the most experienced team and manager of this world: a very fast rider, with a great desire to learn and stand out. I like and I'm excited about the idea of being able to see him integrated into the World Superbike team in 2019, but above all it is a real asset to be able to launch new talented youngsters alongside experienced pilots”.
Follow all the latest announcements for 2019 on WorldSBK.com and check out how Hernández and Ruiu have fared in their respective championships thanks to the WorldSBK VideoPass.
