At the end of the 2015 season, Andrea Grillini decided to bet on Dominic Schmitter for the coming season in WorldSBK and the move saw the Swiss rider begin his adventure on the Kawasaki ZX-10R. After the first nine Rounds of the season, the rookie has started scoring points and the team atmosphere is positive.

“We’re very happy with Dominic, who is in his first season in WorldSBK,” says Grillini. “This is a year to gain experience, for him. Bit by bit, he’s improving in every Race. Next year we want to stay with both him and Kawasaki. I’m happy with the team and so is he. The WorldSBK Championship is very difficult, the riders are very strong, very competitive, and we do all we can with the resources we have.”

Schmitter currently has a total of nine points, and enjoyed his best result to date at the recent GEICO US Round at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in California. Since Misano, his teammate has been Gianluca Vizziello – the Italian joining the team in place of Aussie Josh Hook – and his role is an important one.

“He’s a very experienced rider,” continues Grillini. “And he’s helping a lot in the development of the 2016 bike in preparation for next year.”

WorldSBK gets back on track at Lausitzring in September with the Pirelli German Round, kickstarting the final four Rounds of the season on the way to the finale in Qatar.