Yet more history was made for Ducati over the weekend as Alvaro Bautista wrapped up the 2022 WorldSBK title at the Mandalika Circuit in Indonesia. The Spaniard eventually came out on top after a spellbinding year fighting week in, week out with Yamaha's 2021 World Champion, Toprak Razgatlioglu, and Kawasaki's six-time King, Jonathan Rea.
The 2006 125cc World Champion becomes only the third rider to win a Grand Prix World Championship and then go on to claim the WorldSBK crown after John Kocinski, 1990 250cc World Champion and 1997 World Superbike Champion, and Max Biaggi, four-time 250cc World Champion and two-time World Superbike Champion.
But it's the success for Ducati that has Ducati Corse General Manager Gigi Dall'Igna grinning from ear to ear. After a 15-year wait ended in Valencia, Ducati's 11-year wait for a WorldSBK crown came to an end in Indonesia. It means the Bologna brand have won both top level titles in the same year for the first time, making them the third in history after Honda in 1989, 1997 & 2002 and Yamaha in 2009 & 2021.
"Honestly, it has been an unbelievable season," started Dall'Igna. "I'm so happy for everyone at Ducati Corse who have worked so well, not only this year but for the past few years. They've deserved these titles maybe a few years ago but, in the end, we're so happy with the job we've done in MotoGP and World Superbikes in 2022.
"It's important to build a good bike but the most important thing is to win. That's why we're here. In the end, if you don't win then you're a loser."