Sacchetti: "The bike won’t be new, but it will be a development one compared to 2021"
German rider Philipp Oettl will graduate to WorldSBK in 2022 with the Team GoEleven squad
The MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship grid will feature six rookies in 2022 with German rider Philipp Oettl making his debut in the Championship for Team GoEleven. At the team’s launch, where they showed off a striking blue livery for this season, Team Manager Denis Sacchetti discussed the Ducati Panigale V4 R that Team GoEleven will use in 2022 as well as looking ahead to Oettl’s rookie season and Sacchetti’s “surprise” at the Portimao test.
Oettl heads into his rookie season in WorldSBK after two seasons competing in WorldSSP competing on Kawasaki machinery where he racked up 11 podiums across 38 races although did not stand on the top step of the rostrum. 2022 marks a new start for Oettl as he links up with Team GoEleven in WorldSBK, on a Ducati Panigale V4 R.
Explaining the bike that GoEleven will use in 2022, Team Manager Sacchetti said: “The bike is a Ducati V4 R, WorldSBK spec. It is derived from the 2021 bike; we have updated it and brought some improvements. The development never stops and there are some very interesting tech novelties, the bike won’t be new, but it will be a development one compared to 2021.”
Sacchetti was also on hand to outline the challenges that Oettl will face throughout his rookie campaign following the switch to WorldSBK, such as riding style differences between the two classes, the increase in power and how Oettl will need to ride the bike in the fastest possible way as the team look to continue their recent record of podium finishes throughout the season.
Sacchetti said: “It’s an important step as it brings some changes in the riding style and how the rider has to face corners, the braking, the acceleration, the rider’s position... you have a lot more engine horsepower and also the electronics management and working method are more complex. It changes a lot as, on a 1000cc bike, you have to ‘make’ a more stop and go style, you have to stop and then restart with the bike in a ‘straight’ position in order to put the power down. The feeling has been very good from the first day we met, Philipp works very well and get along with everyone in the box. In our first test we focused on ergonomics, this is the base of our plan. At the Portimao test, he surprised me as he was faster than I expected.”
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