Tito Rabat swaps MotoGP for WorldSBK in 2021 with Barni Ducati

Tito Rabat will become the latest rider to switch from MotoGP to the WorldSBK Championship after coming to an agreement to join the satellite Barni Ducati outfit for 2021.

The Spaniard has raced in MotoGP since 2016 after clinching the Moto2 World Championship title in 2014 but has struggled to make an impression in the premier class, with five seasons yielding a best finish of just seventh position during stints at Marc VDS Honda and Avintia Ducati.

Though Rabat was originally supposed to race on in 2021 with Avintia, he’d eventually opt out of the agreement - with Luca Marini taking up the seat instead - in favour of a switch to WorldSBK, where he will campaign the factory-assisted Ducati Panigale V4 R helmed by Barni Racing.

“After many years in MotoGP I will have the chance to start a new adventure in WorldSBK and I want to show all my potential in this championship. I know I'll have at my disposal a great bike and a good team, for this opportunity I want to thank the Barni Racing Team and Ducati. 

“For me the new challenge started today when I jumped on the Ducati Panigale V4 R for the first time. I can't wait to take it on track, and I will work hard to be full prepared for the first test.”

“I'm very happy with the agreement with Tito because when I spoke with him I saw our same approach to work,” added Marco Barnabo. “Great commitment and determination trying to achieve ambitious goals. Our whole team is ready to do its best to put him in the best conditions to reach good results.”