Italiano
UNSTABLE WEATHER DOESN’T STOP RINALDI’S FIRST RIDE WITH GO ELEVEN!
On 22-23th January the pre-season tests took place on the Jerez de la Frontera track; Andalusia usually offers a warm and sunny climate, but this year the weather has not been mild with WorldSBK riders. Wednesday it rained persistently all day, forcing the teams to ride in wet conditions; the following day, in the middle of the morning, the sun emerged from the gray clouds and gradually dried the track, giving riders the opportunity to complete a few laps with dry tyres, even if the wet spots forced the protagonists on obligatory lines. In the early afternoon, then, the rain came back and Day-2 ended early. The laptimes, very far from those of the 2019 Round, demonstrated the critical conditions of the asphalt.
On the occasion of these two days Michael Ruben Rinaldi made his debut riding the Ducati Panigale V4-R by Go Eleven. 48 laps completed and a good adaptation with the team and the new Ducati 2020 specifications; in Jerez the team also had the opportunity to test the new Ohlins suspension for the first time ever. Unfortunately the wet track slightly changed the plans, but the young rider from Romagna got to know the team’s working method and said he was satisfied from the first laps! He finished the first seasonal outing in ninth place, with an excellent 1.43.789. Two days, however, very useful to understand Michael’s riding position and style.
The mood is the right one, the desire to return to the track is great and the serenity of the team and rider create the right environment to do an excellent job; January 26-27th it’s time to face Portimao. A further two days of tests which, weather permitting, will give a first taste of the WorldSBK 2020 season!
Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Rider):
“It was two particular days because the weather did not give us rest! We had two hours of “spotted” track on which we managed to use the slicks; we needed them to understand the most important things and also to make my method known of team work and vice versa. We carried out our program calmly, methodically and I am satisfied with what we have done. We are still at the beginning, it was only the first test of the year, so there are still many points to improve and fix. The atmosphere you breathe inside the garage is beautiful and serene; now we are going to travel to Portimao, where it should not rain, and where we will continue the refinement process between me, the team and the bike! ”
Photo credits: Matteo Cavadini
