2023’S KEY MOMENTS – ROUND 10, ARAGON: Bautista’s double crash as Rinaldi returns to winning ways
There were contrasting fortunes in the Aruba.it Racing – Ducati box as Bautista crashed twice while Rinaldi was back on top and still looking for a ride for 2024
MotorLand Aragon hosted Round 10 of the 2023 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship and what looked like it could’ve been a straightforward weekend for Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) was anything but. In contrast, teammate Michael Ruben Rinaldi was back to his best, and returned to winning ways in Ducati’s big moment of need. Re-watch the Race 1 and Race 2 action right HERE and check out highlights of the Tissot Superpole Race on YouTube – don’t forget to subscribe to the WorldSBK channel too!
The reigning Champion headed into the Aragon Round as clear favourite, leading the title race and looking to put one hand on the Championship before the next round. However, Saturday did not go his way. A crash at Turn 8 when leading comfortably dropped him to the back of the field before he was able to recover into the points-paying positions. Looking to make a move for P14 on the final lap, the Spaniard came off his bike again and scored no points. Despite the disappointment for the #1, there was joy on the other side of the box as Michael Ruben Rinaldi took full advantage to win his first race in two years. It was the scene of his first WorldSBK win back in 2020 and his latest too, despite being replaced at the team for 2024 by Nicolo Bulega. Mixed emotions in the Aruba Ducati box, but Bautista had the consolation of still leading the title race.
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