Ex-MotoGP rider Tito Rabat steps in for Puccetti Kawasaki rider Lucas Mahias in the World Superbike Championship at Misano – Pedercini finds replacement for Leon Haslam
Not only BMW factory rider Michael van der Mark is out of the World Superbike Championship at Misano due to injury (which rider will pilot the factory BMW at Misano). Puccetti-Kawasaki and Pedercini-Kawasaki also had to look for replacements. Ex-MotoGP rider Tito Rabat is set to make his comeback in the World Superbike Championship, as is Alessandro Delbianco.
Tito Rabat is stepping in at Puccetti for Lucas Mahias, who was injured in the Superpole race at the Estoril race weekend three weeks ago. Rabat replaced Mahias back at the end of 2021, and the 2014 Moto2 World Champion previously experienced difficult times, parting ways with Barni-Ducati early in his debut season.
“I am very happy to ride for Puccetti-Kawasaki again and I thank Manuel and the whole team for the trust. It is the team’s home race and therefore very important for them. I am fully motivated and very determined,” commented Rabat, who will be riding in Misano with a special livery.
The Pedercini Kawasaki team also had to improvise for the weekend in Misano. Leon Haslam was originally scheduled to pilot the Kawasaki ZX-10RR in Italy, but the Briton has to test in Suzuka for the 8-hour race. Alessandro Delbianco makes his WSBK comeback and takes over the bike.
Delbianco last rode in the World Superbike Championship in Most. At that time, the Italian replaced Leandro Mercado at MIE-Honda, who tested positive for the corona virus.
