It isn’t a total surprise that Ducati has decided not to continue its partnership with veteran Italian rider Marco Melandri, and the fact that the factory Italian team in World Superbikes hasn’t confirmed Melandri until now, was a clear indication about their intentions.
Now, it’s confirmed that in 2019 Melandri won’t stay in World Superbikes racing alongside Chaz Davies (already confirmed) at the factory Ducati team, with Ducati choosing the Spaniard Alvaro Bautista to replace Melandri.
After eight years racing in MotoGP, Bautista will have the chance to prove himself in a completely different environment, but his arrival will surely shake the riders order, because the experienced Spanish rider will surely be very fast aboard the Ducati Panigale R.
As for Melandri, there’s no word about his future, and it remains to be seen if the Italian will opt to retire or assume another role, probably as a team manager.