In a repeat of this time last season, Rinaldi’s factory Ducati WorldSBK seat is being linked with several names including the likes of rival Axel Bassani and MotoGP rider Fabio Di Giannantonio.

Rinaldi, who has been closer to Alvaro Bautista in terms of outright speed so far in 2023, has been let down by a lack of consistency which is why rumours surrounding his seat are persisting. 

More often than not Rinaldi has been slightly more competitive than Bassani, however, mistakes are a big reason as to why the Motocorsa Ducati rider is 27 points clear of Rinaldi in the standings. 

Rinaldi was picked in favour of Bassani last season, and although consistency needs to be added, that could very well be the case again for 2024.

However, more options seem to be at Ducati’s disposal this time around as Di Giannantonio has been linked with a move across from MotoGP.

There’s also Danilo Petrucci who has made it known that riding for the factory team would be his preference, albeit current results don’t seem to indicate that the two-time MotoGP race winner will be in contention.

For Rinaldi, the next two rounds could be make-or-break as it relates to his future with the Aruba.it Ducati outfit, but should he be replaced, the 27-year-old has confirmed he has other options. 

Asked by WorldSBK.com whether he has any idea of where his future lies, Rinaldi said: “No, at the moment we’re still talking. I think that I will talk about my future after Imola. 

“For now, I’m focused on Donington and Imola. For sure, after Imola, I will know what my future will be. 

“I want to continue with the team but there are other options on the table. My goal is to remain here and if the team is happy to continue with me, this is my priority.”

Currently 15th in the world championship – and the only Ducati rider apart from the injured Enea Bastianini not to have taken a podium this season – di Giannantonio’s Gresini seat is rumoured to be under pressure from the likes of Moto2 title leader Tony Arbolino.

Meanwhile, Diggia’s name has been linked with some of the undecided seats in WorldSBK.

“I just have to be focused on what I have to do and then, once we do a good job, everything will come after,” di Giannantonio said.

“So I’m not so worried about my future. The plan is to stay in MotoGP obviously and at the moment I’m not considering a Plan B.

“The plan is to be in MotoGP, improve race by race and then try to be to reach the maximum level, that I think can be [like] the other Ducati guys. So just working on myself.”

This weekend’s Sachsenring round could be the perfect venue to show his talent, having taken the best result of his rookie season, an eighth place, at last year’s event.

“Last year here was maybe my best weekend. I did a great qualifying [fifth] and also a good race. It’s always been a track where I have been fast. So it could be a nice weekend for us, I hope.”

While di Giannantonio matched that eighth place at Le Mans this season, he has been higher on the timesheets during test sessions – sixth at last November’s Valencia test, seventh at Sepang and most recently fifth at Jerez.

“I think our potential has not been revealed, let’s say, at the fullest. When we have more time, like in a test, to focus on the work, we can see the results because we are always – not the fastest, but clearly one of them,” di Giannantonio confirmed.

“So it’s always a matter of time and we are trying to put these performances from the tests into the weekends. We just have to put all the pieces together.”

Gresini team-mate Alex Marquez is 13th in the world championship.

After seeing Moto2 title rival Tony Arbolino open up a 25-point lead following Le Mans, Acosta once again showed why there is so much interest in him as he dominated last weekend’s race at Mugello.

Claiming his third win of the season, Acosta is now 20 points down on the Italian who is also being lined up for a switch to MotoGP next year.

Arbolino looks set to join Ducati in place of Fabio Di Giannantonio, however, Acosta’s future remains unclear.

 

Contracted to KTM, Acosta is more likely to secure a switch with the Austrian brand although other manufacturers have already been in contact with the Spaniard.

There’s only one seat that Acosta could move into which is that of Augusto Fernandez at the GASGAS Tech 3 team, but with KTM impressed by the current rookie, staying in Moto2 is Pit Beirer’s preferred option for Acosta.

Speaking during practice to MotoGP.com, Beirer said: “Looks like we have a situation that he is, of course, coming up and that he is a very outstanding rider. 

“My request or wish is that he goes for another Moto2 season. I know that he’s not very motivated to do that, but he’s also still very young. 

“I mean if you look at what Dani Pedrosa did at 37 years old in Jerez, then you look at Pedro’s age, he still has a lot of time, no rush to move to MotoGP.”

If Acosta doesn’t get his wish of moving up to MotoGP with KTM, others such as Ducati, Honda, Aprilia and Yamaha could be willing to step up their interest.

But Beirer also stated that Acosta should trust the plan KTM has for him, regardless of what series he races in.

Beirer added: “I think he should trust us, all the experts we have in the group and the family, to make a great plan for his future. 

“Aki Ajo is heavily involved, we talk on a daily basis and I’m sure we’ll find a solution. 

“We also have 4 fantastic riders in our line up so it’s kind of a luxury problem for us, but it’s not the easiest situation because we have four riders that we love, so we’ll see what the future will bring.”

Rins, who like Marc Marquez showed excellent speed aboard his Honda during the closing stages of FP2, nearly had an incident with Di Giannantonio.

After overtaking the Italian on one of his fast laps, Rins was left surprised when the Gresini Ducati rider attempted to regain track position before crashing out at turn one.

DI Ginannatonio went barrel-rolling through the gravel in what was a very hard fall, while Rins was left asking questions following the session after claiming he braked as late as possible for turn one, thus an overtake was too risky in his eyes. 

“On the first new tyre I was [on a flying lap] and he was coming out of the box and I found him at corner 11,” said Rins. 

“I was quite close to hitting him. It can happen. Like Morbidelli and Alex Marquez this morning. 

“But the second one was super strange because I braked so hard at corner one and I saw someone overtaking me on the inside. 

“I said to myself ‘what is he doing, he will go wide’, and then he crashed. If I didn’t brake super hard I would have hit him. This was the act of frustration that I had at that moment.” 

Asked if he knew how close Di Giannantonio was, Rins added: “No, but I knew that overtook him on the last corner.

While Rins eventually lost out to Francesco Bagnaia and Marco Bezzecchi, the LCR Honda rider showed that the RC213V can be competitive at Mugello, especially since the deficit on the straiights is not as big as expected. 

“It’s not that much but on the straights we are not so high [in top speed] so it’s a little bit hard,” said Rins.

With regards to where he and Honda can improve, hard braking and the feeling with the hard tyre were key areas mentioned by Rins.

The hard tyre is what was used by Marquez when he crashed prior to setting a time that momentarily put him fastest before Rins jumped ahead of the eight-time world champion.  

Rins stated: “I would like to improve a bit on the hard braking. With the hard tyre I didn’t get so much information, so much feedback from the tyre, so we have to work on this.”

Currently in Moto2 and already a race winner so far this season, Sam Lowes has been linked to the factory Yamaha seat that will become vacant after Toprak Razgatlioglu’s switch to BMW in 2024.

And although Yamaha have previously stated their intention to promote one of its current WorldSBK riders alongside Andrea Locatelli, Lowes and others such as Fabio Di Giannantonio could be in contention for a factory ride.

That doesn’t mean Yamaha in particular, as Ducati and Kawasaki could also make changes next to Alvaro Bautista and Jonathan Rea, both of whom are already pencilled in at their current teams.

But Lowes, who could yet be replaced at Kawasaki after four seasons together, wants to remain in WorldSBK as long as the right opportunity arises.

“I’m not going to ride a bike for free,” Lowes told WorldSBK.com. “I’ll stay at home with my nice family and enjoy my life. I think that I’m riding good enough to stay in WorldSBK. I’m enjoying it enough. 

“I’m not too stressed to be honest, I know how hard I work. I know how well I’m riding and I know that I’ve also had a lot of years in World Superbike. 

“Hopefully, I’ll stay with Kawasaki and keep pushing, with Jonny, to get the bike consistently back on the podium and winning races. 

“This is what I would like to happen and I think that it could happen potentially, but at the minute, I’m not sure. Obviously, Toprak going to BMW has changed a lot of things.”

Whether it’s Kawasaki at present or Yamaha in the past, Lowes has spent nearly his entire Superbike career as a factory rider, so therefore dropping down to a satellite team is not something that would likely interest Lowes.

Lowes continued by saying: “It’s hard; I’ve been a factory rider in World Superbike for a long time, so I’ve had lots of good opportunities and I’m enjoying my riding as much as I’m riding. 

“I think if you compare me to the teammates, I’m being compared to one of the best ever with Jonny. 

“This year, sometimes I’ve been faster, sometimes he’s faster, but I’m quite close. If you look at Locatelli to Toprak, Rinaldi to Bautista, they’re never in front of the number one rider in the team. 

“So, if you look at this, I’m riding well, but this doesn’t mean I’m going to keep a job or keep a contract. 

“There’s lots of young guys who ride for not a lot of money or bring sponsors to teams or this type of thing.”

When looking at his own prospects, but also those who could be his main rivals for factory seats in 2024, Lowes pointed to his brother who has spent the last six seasons, which includes 2023, in Moto2 following a nightmare stint with Aprilia in MotoGP. 

“Also, my brother wants to come to WorldSBK, so I need to fight him for a job! It would be nice if I can race against him next year.,” said Lowes.

“This would be good for us. I don’t know who they’re going to put on Toprak’s bike. Obviously, I have a good relationship with Paul Denning. I’m close with him.”

After seeing plenty of success with rookies joining from Moto2, Ducati could be set to pull off another coup with the addition of Arbolino, who is twice a race winner so far in 2023.

Strong at different stages in 2022, Arbolino has taken his game to a new level during the opening five rounds of this season, as he currently leads the championship over Pedro Acosta.

Both Arbolino and Acosta seem destined for the jump up to MotoGP, but with Acosta currently contracted to KTM, Ducati appear best positioned to sign Arbolino in place of struggling Gresini rider Di Giannantonio. 

Speaking about their interest in the current crop of Moto2 riders, Ducati Corse Sporting Director Paolo Ciabatti said this to MotoGP.com during Free Practice at Le Mans: “Pedro (Acosta) is one of the most promising riders since his Moto3 years and we know he has a connection with KTM, which is understandable. 

“Tony Arbolino is also doing a good job. Let’s see, it’s a little too early, we need a couple more races before considering next year,” said Ciabatti.

But while Ciabatti played down the rumours somewhat, Arbolino is well aware that the chance to join MotoGP is there, although he’s not letting it become a distraction.

“You’re asking me if I’m thinking about an upcoming step in MotoGP, of course, but I don’t experience the thought as a “kind of obsession”,” Arbolino told Motosprint.com. “Naturally, I want to fulfil the jump, without bothering myself too much”.

“First of all, to win again with and for the Marc VDS team – perhaps starting from Mugello – then, once I’ve demonstrated my speed, to earn a place in the top class. 

“I’m in no hurry. I want to get there at the right time and in the right place, thanks to the feedback from the track.”

What Arbolino won’t want to do is miss out on a MotoGP ride and then have his following season in Moto2 either impacted by injury, or a lack of form, something that is the case for Ai Ogura after the Japanese rider chose not to join LCR Honda last season.

Speaking before the Catalunya WorldSBK round, Andrea Dosoli, Road Racing Manager at Yamaha Motor Europe, said promoting one of Yamaha’s satellite riders to replace Toprak Razgatlioglu was the main objective, should the 2021 world champion leave at the end of this season.

And with Razgatlioglu now confirmed at BMW for 2024, and the team signing Locatelli to a new two-year deal, adding one of the two GRT riders is now a realistic option.

However, Yamaha could also look to make a splash signing after Motosprint.com have claimed that Zarco, Di Giannantonio and Lowes could be in the running. 

Talks with Zarco are rumoured to have taken place, however, it’s also thought that the French rider, who finished on the podium at his home Grand Prix at Le Mans last time out, remains in negotiations with Ducati regarding a new deal.  

While Zarco would be a big coup for WorldSBK and the factory Yamaha team, a rider that is more likely to leave MotoGP is fellow Ducati rider Di Giannantonio.

The Italian, who has failed to close the gap against the other seven Ducati riders in terms of pure pace on a consistent basis, is in danger of losing his seat to Moto2 championship leader Tony Arbolino. 

With Ducati his only real option in the premier class as it stands, Di Giannantonio is likely facing a move away from MotoGP, if he is indeed replaced by the Marc VDS rider. 

That could leave Di Giannantonio with two options, a return to Moto2 or switching to WorldSBK where the chance to join Yamaha in either the factory team or the GRT setup might be available. 

The last rider who could be in the mix that is not currently competing in the Superbike paddock, is Sam Lowes.

Yes that’s right, Sam, not Alex Lowes seems to be the name in contention for the factory Yamaha ride.

Although he failed to deliver the result he and the team would have hoped for at Le Mans, Lowes still showed that he can be one of the best riders in a very competitive Moto2 field.

Winner at the round prior in Jerez, Lowes then went on to take pole at the French Grand Prix before suffering a crash. A restarted race due to earlier red flags meant Lowes could re-group and gain one point after starting from pit lane.

Consistency hasn’t been Lowes’ best friend so far this season, however, Motosprint.com again believe that Pata Yamaha could bring the Brit across, while for Lowes, switching to WorldSBK in 2024 could be one of the last chances for the 32-year-old.

The Gresini Racing rider, currently in his second season in the premier class, has underwhelmed Ducati who have identified who they want to replace him with, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport.

Arbolino, of the Elf Marc VDS Racing Team in Moto2, has become Ducati’s “number one choice to replace” Di Giannantonio, the report says.

Ducati admire Arbolino’s “technical growth and personality”.

Arbolino currently leads the Moto2 standings after five rounds of 2023.

He won in Argentina and France and is locked in a fascinating title duel with Pedro Acosta.

Di Giannantonio, who ended his rookie year finishing 20th in the MotoGP standings, is currently 15th.

His struggles at Gresini have been compounded by the success of his teammate last season, Enea Bastianini, who won the second-most amount of races in 2022 and earned a promotion to Ducati’s factory team.

Alex Marquez is Di Giannantonio’s teammate this season, and is so far outperforming the Italian who must now know that time is running out to secure a seat for a third consecutive year in MotoGP.

Di Giannantonio ended the recent two-day Portimao MotoGP Test unable to complete the final day following a crash which resulted in him suffering a concussion. 

The 24-year-old suffered a concussion after a big impact with the gravel, which he called ‘insane’ due to its size.

But after making a full recovery ahead of this weekend’s season-opener, the Italian, who claimed a maiden pole during his rookie campaign at Mugello, is ‘charged up’ and ready to make an impact. 

“I’ve been feeling 100% fit for a few days now, and after the hit suffered in the test, it was important to get back in shape straight away,” said the Gresini rider. “I’m charged up for Portugal and for the new race weekend format. 

“Portimao has always been a demanding track, so we’ll have to manage the energy well and get in the points straight away. 

“We’ll see then where we’re at in Argentina, on a track that it’s usually quite dirty at the start of the weekend: it will be important to be quick straight away and be less conservative.”

On the other side of the garage is new teammate Marquez, who enjoyed a very promising pre-season with the Ducati outfit.

A constant challenger for the top five in both Sepang and Portimao, Marquez appears primed to make an immediate impact despite the Spaniard confirming he still needs to ‘know the Ducati better’.

Marquez added: “Time to begin finally! We’re coming from a few days of very positive testing and I’m eager to test myself at the track. 

“I would have loved a few more days to get to know the Ducati better, but we’re at a good point already and the first three-four races of the season will be key to find the right automatisms and feelings ahead of the season. 

“There’s a sprint race to discover, so we’ll dive into these first two weekends with renewed confidence.”