After the news that he would ride for Motocorsa Racing in 2024, Michael Ruben Rinaldi got off a strong start with his new team. The #21 showed rapid pace during the two-day test as some of the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship field remained at the Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto for two days of testing. Rinaldi was one of the riders who stayed in Spain as he got adjusted to his new surroundings for next season.

On Tuesday, the first day of action, Rinaldi posted a 1’40.034s as he finished in second place, and he was on the busiest riders on track with 36 laps on a day where running was limited due to rain falling from around midday onwards. Nevertheless, it was a solid start to the #21’s return to Independent Ducati machinery as he looks to repeat the success that he had the last time he was with an Independent squad, in 2020 with Team GoEleven.

Looking back on his first day with Motocorsa Racing, Rinaldi said: “It was a really different day for me. It was the first day with my new team. Our goal was to check whether the bikes were more or less the same as the factory ones, and actually I was quite surprised because the level of this team and the bike are nothing worse than the factory team. The first lap was nice inside the helmet. We tried to check both of the bikes and the feeling was great. I was able to lap pretty quickly.”

On Wednesday, the morning featured limited running, but everyone was busy in the afternoon. The five-time race winner was sixth, lapping 1.359s down on Remy Gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) after he set a 1’38.448s to claim top spot. The Italian added another 69 laps on day two, taking his total for the two days to 105 at the Jerez circuit.

On the test, Rinaldi added: “Wednesday we completed many laps, unlike Tuesday. We were able to do many laps and try different things on the bike. I’m quite happy. I was pretty consistent and had good pace with the used tyre. At the end, everybody put on the SCQ, and everything changed. On pace, I think we were strong with the used tyre, so this is the best thing. If we want to improve on time attack, we need to work a little bit more because, at the moment, we’re not that fast. For the rest I’m really happy and satisfied. The team worked really well, we tried different things and the valve they gave to me worked really well. I’m going home for the winter rest with a smile on my face.”

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