Barni Ducati has confirmed it will welcome back Samuele Cavalieri into its fold for the remainder of the 2021 WorldSBK Championship season, in place of the departed Tito Rabat.
The Italian made his WorldSBK debut with Barni Ducati in 2020 with a three-round stint towards the end of the season as one of the riders to occupy the seat originally intended for Leon Camier.
This time he takes over the Ducati Panigale V4 R from 2014 Moto2 World Champion Rabat, who exited the Barni team at the conclusion of Round 8 in France after a difficult maiden campaign.
This will be Cavalieri’s second outing in WorldSBK this season having begun the year with the Outdo TPR Pedercini Kawasaki team, but exited after three events and a failure to score any points.
“This is the opportunity I have been waiting for. First, I want to thank Barni for the opportunity. Obviously, a special thanks goes also to my family and my sponsors who have made this happen. I will have five rounds left and there will be time to get the bike comfortable for my riding style.
“The fact that I already know the team, which is practically the same as last year, will be an advantage, but the most important thing is to work methodically and not be in a hurry.
“The first goal will be to adapt as quickly as possible, to ride without pressure improving race by race.”
In addition to his WorldSBK outings, Cavalieri was last season runner-up to Aprilia MotoGP rider Lorenzo Savadori in the Italian-based CIV Superbike series.
