Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) has written an emotional post to Ducati following the news that he will leave the team at the end of the season. It’s been announced that WorldSSP Championship leader Nicolo Bulega will join Alvaro Bautista at the factory Ducati team in 2024, with Rinaldi looking for a seat elsewhere. Despite the news, the #21 posted a heartfelt message to Ducati on Instagram in which he thanked everyone for supporting him during his time not just at the factory Ducati team, but as a rider for the Bologna-based manufacturer.

Rinaldi’s WorldSBK career started in 2018 with the Aruba.it Racing – Junior Team, before he moved to the Barni Racing Team for 2019. A year later and he was on the move again, this time to Team GoEleven, where he would get his big breakthrough. At the Teruel Round in 2020, Rinaldi scored three podiums including his first win and moved to the factory team for 2021. He’s taken 16 podiums with the team and three wins, including two on home soil at Misano. However, his WorldSBK journey with Aruba.it Racing - Ducati will come to an end when the 2023 season concludes.

Reflecting on his time with the team, Rinaldi said: “Dear team, it was a wonderful journey.

Thinking back to the first race together... Aragon 2016 with the Aruba Junior Team, I was a little more than a kid. I remember the thought very well in my mind since that first race in 2016: I want to ride with you in the official WorldSBK team and win the World Championship.

“So many years since that race... The STK1000 title, many emotions and great satisfactions achieved together that allowed me to get to WorldSBK. Then growth, the first victory in the World Championship, the podiums, moving from the Independents’ Championship victory in 2020 to signing for the factory team. After all these years with you, and the last three in the factory team, the time has come to close this great chapter and aim for new challenges.

“I always gave my all every step of the way, growing as a professional and as a person. You have supported me and endured me, and together we have always believed, pushing me in every race and never giving up and I’m proud of that. Everything was special. I’m proud to have won the Teams’ and Manufacturers’ title in 2022 and, more than anything else, to climb on the top step of the podium, together, in front of the crowd at home in Misano. Incredible moments that will drive me forward this 2023 season with grit and determination.

“I want to thank all of you, Team Aruba, and Ducati Corse. A special thank you to Stefano Cecconi and Serafino Foti, what a Team Principal and Team Manager you are, but with me and for me you have been much more.  Thanks to Gigi Dall’Igna, Paolo Ciabatti and Claudio Domenicali for the support they have given me over the years. Racing for Ducati as an Italian is priceless. Thanks to Daniele Casolari and the whole team. The last thank you goes to the fans, both mine and the Ducatisti for your warmth, your demonstrated support, and your judgement. It has often been helpful, and I’ve tried to be, always with a distinctive smile, the best version of myself. See you at the track.”

Watch Rinaldi’s final four rounds with the factory Ducati team play out in style using the WorldSBK VideoPass!