Matteo Baiocco to ride for MotoRapido

Two-time, and reigning Italian Superbike champion Matteo Baiocco has signed a one year deal with MotoRapido Ducati.

Baiocco has previously raced in World Supersport, Superstock and Superbike rider. In he was a replacement rider for the British Ducati team during the Silverstone round, and he also covered for the injured Niccolò Canepa during the Portimao round of WSBK.

Baiocco is also one of the official 1199 Panigale test riders, so has plenty of experiences on the Panigale.

“I am very happy to finally formalise my agreement with the team Moto Rapido,” said Baiocco.

“We have been working for this together for a long time and I really want to thank Steve Moore for the opportunity. During 2012 I had already got to know the team Moto Rapido and BSB, I like the team very much and I was excited to race BSB. This will be a very important season for me after winning in Italy I look forward to the challenge of the riders in BSB and do my best to be competitive in the best national series of the world. I’m preparing for the best to be ready at the first race. I want to say thank you to Ducati Corse and Ducati UK who will help us in this season. We will do our best to be competitive and fight with our 1199 Panigale R. A big hello to all the British fans that are unique and have great passion and loyalty for racing.”

Moto Rapido’s Team principal Steve Moore said “Firstly I am really pleased to continue our project in BSB with Ducati and I am very happy to have put pen to paper with Matteo over the Christmas break. He is quite a character and I am sure the BSB fans will love him. Matteo is twice Italian Superbike Champion with Ducati and his strong links to the factory brings increased technical support from Ducati Corse. With the upgrade to the 1199R Panigale this year we are expecting to progress well. We are still a new team so the challenge has been huge, but this season is looking stronger than ever for us and we have more exciting news still to come.”