WorldSBK points leader Alvaro Bautista will remain in the works Ducati team for 2023 after signing a one-year extension to his contract.
Bautista, who spent his early career in the MotoGP paddock, is in his second period with the Bologna squad after coming second in the WorldSBK series in 2019.
“I am very happy to be able to continue at least one more year with the Aruba Ducati team, which represents a family to me,” said the Spaniard.
“I have always felt good with this team and since I have returned, the feelings have been even more positive than in the 2019 season. When something works so well, we can only keep working, looking ahead.
“I feel I am still at the top, I feel I can still give a lot. Physically and mentally I think this is the best time of my career. I am also delighted to continue working with Ducati, a very important factory, tech-oriented, always looking for development: to be part of this project, of this team is something incredible on a personal level.”
After becoming world champion in the 125cc class in 2006 with eight wins and a total of 14 podiums, Bautista took part in the 250cc series in the following three seasons, scoring eight wins and a total of 24 podiums.
The Spanish rider - born in Talavera de la Reina (Toledo, Spain) on November 21, 1984 - landed in MotoGP in 2010 (scoring three podiums between 2012 and 2014) before climbing aboard the Ducati Desmosedici GP in the 2017 and 2018 seasons.
In his debut season in WordSBK (2019) with the Panigale V4R of the Aruba Ducati Team, he obtained 16 victories (24 podiums in total), finishing second in the championship standings.
