Although Ducati’s return to WorldSSP has brought with it lofty expectations, Nicolo Bulega anticipates a ‘tough’ rookiꦕe season despite impressive pace during testing. 

After spending seven s𒐪easons in the Grand Prix paddock - the last three in Moto2 - Bulega is making a similar switch to that of former Moto2 rider and 2021 Supersport w๊orld champion Dominique Aegerter. 

However, un♑like the Swiss rider who joined perennial title challengers Yamaha (Ten Kate Team), Bulega is switching to Ducati with the Italian manufacturer's newly homologated Panigale V2 machine. 

Ducati’s return to WorldSSP racing means it will compete in🔯 the intermediate class for the first time s🅺ince 2007. 

Speaking at the Aruba.it Racing Ducati team launch, Bulega added: "I'm very motivated for this new adventure. It's a great opportunity for me and I feel I have all😼 th🃏e requirements to do well. 

"The tests have been very positive, I f❀elt comfortable both with the Panigale V2 and with the team, which is very important to me. 

"It's 🌸going to be a tough season for sure and for this reason we need to put our heads together and try to get the mo☂st out of every single race."

While so much was expected of Bulega in the Grand Prix paddock, the former VR46 academ🍌y rider failed to sꦡhowcase his true potential, which is also a statement that can be made about Lorenzo Baldassarri. 

Even though Baldassarri had much more success during his time in Moto2 - claimed four wins as opposed to Bulega’s zero - the new Evan Bros. Yamaha man was touted as a potential ♓MotoGP rider before two extremely disappointing seasons in 2020 and 2021. 

Nevertheless, the change of machinery🌞 and category has given Baldassarri a fresh mindset, one where matching Andrea Locatelli and Aegerter as rookie champions is his aimღ. 

Baldassarri told WorldSBK.com: "I think I will go with the championship as the main focus, 100%. I ൲know how strong I am.&n♎bsp;

"Also, last year was very tough for me, but now I’m recharging my battery. The battery is at 100% and I’m ready to f🦩ight for the important posit𒈔ions. 

"I think I will do great with the tea💎m because they are supporting me very well. I’m training up. I will be ready to fi༒ght to win. 

"The main target is to be fast at the beginning, fighting for the lea🎃d, I should be the fastest from Yamaha. Domi was very fast last year, and did grea🎃t. 

"That𓂃’s the importa🐷nt thing. We will see how the new rules and how the Championship is going."