‘I’m aware that’ WorldSBK ‘is a great challenge’ - Cavalieri

With the first WorldSBK race of 2021 fast approaching, former Italian CIV rider Samuele Cavalieri will make his first start for Team Pedercini Racing Kawasaki. 

Although 2021 will be Cavalieri’s first full and therefore rookie season, the 23 year-old has participated in nine races over the last two seasons. 

Cavalieri goes into this season on the back foot slightly compared to other riders with his or less experience in the series such as Axel Bassani, Tito Rabat and Christophe Ponsson, who have all had significantly more testing opportunity. 

But looking ahead to this season, Cavalieri said: "I am ready and very motivated. For me everything is new in this team, I feel very good and in two days I have already realised the great passion they all have. I can't wait to start the season!"

The ‘two days’ referred to was the Catalunya test last month. After four years with Ducati Cavalieri makes the change to the new 2021 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10RR. 

Cavalieri said this about the switch: "We have done few tests with the Kawasaki but, in any case, I have already understood that the level it is really high and that also the Independent teams are very competitive. Getting into the points from the middle of the season would be fantastic."

Moving to World Superbike from the domestic Italian championship also means a raft of new circuits that Cavalieri will go to having never tested or competed at before. 

The lone experience he will have is from playing the ‘PlayStation’. But with that said, Cavalieri is aiming high with top ten finishes as his initial aim for the season. 

"I’m aware that this is a great challenge and that it will also be demanding as the level of the championship is very high and I have only seen many of the circuits on the PlayStation. 

"The important thing is to gain experience as far as I'm concerned, and I want to grow step by step. My goal is to be in the top ten or at least in the points."