The 2019 WorldSBK championship is over, but looking back, it’s been one of the most exciting tournaments we’ve ever witnessed. Newcomer to team Aruba.it and WSBK itself - Alvaro Bautista, came out swinging by winning 11 consecutive races. At the halfway point he looked undefeatable however, following some minor collisions and technical setbacks in later races, the Spanish rider has had to settle for championship 2^nd place. This is by no means an easy feat for his opening season; an achievement that we would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Alvaro on and thank him for providing so much world-class racing.

Thankfully Bautista had gathered experience of the Losail International circuit through his days in Moto GP; an element that he’d been lacking in recent rounds. The coastal-based track adds a different dimension to proceedings by running night races, which has been possible since the circuit was fitted with permanent outdoor floodlighting in 2007. Race one saw Bautista get off to a less than perfect start but recovered in later laps, only just missing out on a podium placement by coming 4^th.

The second race of the weekend saw both Aruba riders chasing down the championship winner Jonathan Rea. Bautista pushed hard in the initial laps, even stealing the lead at one point but putting the Panigale V4 R though its paces took its toll on tyre wear leading to the skilled Spaniard easing off a little. As a result, the lead was retaken by Rea leaving Bautista in third when the flag came down.

We now bid Alvaro a fond farewell as he continues his career in pastures new.

Chaz Davies finished the season by riding a fantastic set of races leading to his appearance on the podium twice; both times in second place. The Welshman started race one on the backfoot by starting proceedings sitting in twelfth on the grid. He wowed fans with blisteringly quick opening lap, where he jumped eight places. Taking himself and hardware to the limit he eventually tucked in behind the race lead – Kawasaki’s Rea.

Race two saw Davies join in the chase for podium position along with Bautista. Whilst Alvaro lost ground, Chaz took the opportunity to slip past and seal his standing for what has been a very positive closing round.

FAI has proudly sponsored Chaz for the last three seasons and although he has had a challenging 2019 season, he never stopped striving to make improvements for each and every round. We’d like to take the opportunity to congratulate Chaz on the respectable Championship position of 6^th. Will 2020 see Chaz crowned WSBK champion?... We certainly hope so!

The 2020 Ducati line-up has been confirmed as an all British affair by featuring yet another of MotoGP’s rider – Scott Redding. Joining Chaz for his seventh consecutive year, Redding beginning his career in his early teens, chalking-up experience in Moto2 & five seasons of MotoGP. We’ll look forward to the wealth of talent he brings and welcome another exciting year of racing.

“I’m so happy to join the Aruba.it Racing - Ducati team, which is something that I’ve wanted for a long time, because to be able to work with a team that can fight for a world title is really a great opportunity for me. Obviously now I have to remain fully focussed on the British Superbike Championship, because I want to try and win that title with the Be Wiser Ducati before stepping back up to a world championship again. A big thanks to all those people who have helped to make this dream happen, and now I can’t wait to get on the factory Panigale V4 R bike in the World Superbike Championship.” Scott Redding