REVIEW: ROUND 5, MISANO – Rinaldi’s triple podium dreams end in the gravel

The Misano World Circuit “Marco Simoncelli” had been one of Michael Ruben Rinaldi’s (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) best tracks in terms of results, and that continued in 2023 at the Emilia-Romagna Round. The MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship headed to the first of two visits to Italy in early June and it was a weekend for the passionate Ducatisti to remember on the Adriatic Coast. Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) scored his fourth hat-trick as the Bologna-based manufacturer used a special yellow livery at Misano, whilst Rinaldi was also on form, but it’d end on a sour note for the #21. Recap Race 1 and Race 2 HERE and watch Tissot Superpole Race highlights on YouTube – don’t forget to subscribe!

Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK) and Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) were nose-to-tail throughout Race 2, with the #21 getting ahead on Lap 3 and remaining there until Lap 15, when the Turk came back through. Two-time Misano winner Rinaldi stayed in touch, but this turned too literal on Lap 17. On the run into Turn 1, Rinaldi slightly misjudged the gap to Razgatlioglu and made contact with the rear of his Yamaha machine. The Turk continued but Rinaldi’s dreams of a third podium in three races on home soil were in tatters in the gravel.

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Source: WorldSBK.com

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