Although Ducati’s return to WorldSSP has brougꦡht with it lofty expe🎀ctations, Nicolo Bulega anticipates a ‘tough’ rookie season despite impressive pace during testing. 

After spending seven seasons 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 world champion Dominique Aegerter. 

However, unlike the Swiss rider who joined perennial title challengers Yamaha (Ten Kate Team), Bulega is switching to Ducati with the Italian manufacturer's newly homolo🧜gated Panigale V2 ma💧chine. 

Ducat♕i’s 𒊎return to WorldSSP racing means it will compete in the intermediate class for the first time since 2007. 

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

"The tests have been very pos🎃itive, I felt comfortable both with the Panigale V2 and with the team, which is very impor🦄tant to me. 

"It's going to be a tough season for sure and for this reason we need to put our heads together an�✱�d try to get the most out of every single race."

While so much was expected of Bulega in the Gran🐈d Prix paddock, the former VR46 academy rider failed to showcase 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 - c𝄹laimed four wins as opposed to Bulega’s zero - the new Evan Bros. Yamaha man was touted as a potential MotoGP rider before two extremely dis🦩appointing seasons in 2020 and 2021. 

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

Baldassarri told WorldSBK.com: "I think I will go with the champion♉ship as the main focus, 100%. I know how strong I am. 

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

"I think I will do great wi♛th the team because they are supporting me very🐓 well. I’m training up. I will be ready to fight to win. 

"The main target is to be fast at the begi💮nning, fighting for the lead, I should be the fastest from Yamaha. Domi was very fast last year, and did great. 

"That’s the important thing. We will see💎 how the new rꦍules and how the Championship is going."