OFFICIAL PROGRAMME
TITO RABAT
Barni Racing Ducati , Kawasaki Puccetti Racing
Tito Rabat , the Moto2 World Champion in 2014 and a five year MotoGP™ veteran , arrived in WorldSBK with strong ambitions and in the shape of multiple-podium capable Barni Racing Team . He started out on a V4-R Ducati that was at least somehow related to his MotoGP™ bike . There really could have been some truly top rides to enjoy in his rookie year . All the ingredients were there but the final dish that was served up was not exactly the feast of points and rookie glory everyone involved was understandably expecting . Most of all Tito himself given his previous world champion status . We got to see his versatility as he took over the injured Lucas Mahias ’ Kawasaki more than once near the end , and duly score points five times out of six . The rookie star that got away , given the pre-season expectations ? Yes , it seems so , with a best of one ninth place finish at Estoril in Round Two .
LUCAS MAHIAS
Kawasaki Puccetti Racing
A true character , a true biker , a competitor with a vast array of experience in almost all classes , the full-time WorldSBK rookie season of Lucas Mahias was never going to be without fireworks and incidents . He has true ability and a hunger that is almost too much at times . A WorldSSP champion in 2017 , Lucas was on course for a strong rookie season , but for some fast crashes that led to long-standing injuries . But on a bike that has the lowest rev limit in the championship , not operating from inside the official KRT set-up , and in his first WorldSBK year , maybe his race result best of seventh and qualifying best of sixth place are his true WorldSBK rookie metrics . But , there were frequent absences through injury , plus seeming over-excitement in Tissot-Superpole races , where he did not finish four times in seven short contests .
EXCITING CONTENT
51