Reigning STK1000 Champion Michael Ruben Rinaldi will move up to the WorldSBK series this year with the Aruba Ducati Junior squad to take part in the European rounds.

The 22-year-old rider from Italy, who took the title on a stock Panigale R with three wins and five podiums overall in 2017, will thus make his debut in the top class after successfully taking his first steps on the WorldSBK-spec twin-cylinder during the 2017 winter tests.

“I'm obviously very happy for this opportunity. To be able to keep racing with the Aruba.it Racing - Junior Team after two memorable seasons, and to step up to WorldSBK, with a competitive bike and such a great crew, is a dream come true," said Rinaldi.

"We will start our season in Aragon, so we'll try to use the extra time available to be even more prepared. The goal is first and foremost to learn as much as possible, and to improve both my riding and my working approach, but clearly we'll also try to show our potential, because we have all the necessary tools to achieve good results."