WSBK: Factory Inspection: Aruba.IT Ducati

Aruba.IT Ducati have come close to World Superbike glory but not yet won the title with Panigale. The manufacturer from the Borgo Panigale region of Bologna have retained their World Superbike line-up for 2018, with Chaz Davies and Marco Melandri both eager to claim their first WSBK title. How will 2018 look for those two?

Chaz Davies has won 23 races for Ducati, the first of which came back in 2015. He has finished 2nd overall on two occasions and 3rd once in 2016. 2018 has to be Davies’ year, to get the championship monkey off his back. He starts 2018 with an injury, following a big crash at Jerez during the pre-season testing. He hasn’t had much luck in the Phillip Island test either, with an overall placing of 11th. Despite Davies’ history with the Italian firm, he may not be the team’s lead rider this year. However, only an idiot would write the Welshman off and that is certainly not something that should be crossing anyone’s mind.

Marco Melandri may be the lead Ducati this year – if testing is anything to by. He endured a difficult, inconsistent but promising return to the Superbike World championship last year and claimed his only win of the year at home in Misano. The 2002 250cc champion will be looking to make 2018 his year, having got a year already under his belt – a similar style to Valentino Rossi’s return to Yamaha MotoGP in 2013. Melandri has taken 20 wins in his WSBK career for four different manufacturers, however he is yet to take the title – although if testing is to go by, that may not be a long wait.

The Ducati – somewhat surprisingly – has struggled in the past couple of seasons in a straight line, so Phillip Island and Chang International Circuit may not see the Bologna Bullets on top, however when we arrive at Aragon, Chaz Davies always goes well there and when we get to Imola, the same can be said again. One of their strongest rounds has always been Laguna Seca so that will also be a round to watch them at.