Michael Ruben Rinaldi

Before reaching the world championship, Michael Rinaldi competed in the European Superstock 1000 Championship which he won in 2017 ahead of Toprak Razgatlioglu, the European Superstock 600 Championship, the CIV Moto3 Championship and Coppa Italia 125cc series which he also won in 2011.

Following his success in the CIV Moto3 and Coppa Italia championships, Rinaldi then made his Moto3 debut with three races in 2012. The Italian could only manage a best of 15th before taking part in one round in 2014 at Le Mans - finished 23rd. 

Three years later came the European Superstock 1000 success as he battled with current WorldSBK champion Toprak Razgatlioglu for the title. His championship win with Kawasaki led to a WorldSBK promotion in 2018 with Ducati. 

After one season with the Aruba.it Ducati junior team, a season in which he claimed seven top tens including a best of sixth, the now 26 year-old signed for the Barni Racing Ducati Team. 

Rinaldi only bettered his sixth place finish from 2018 on two occasions in 2019 which came during back-to-back rounds in Jerez and Misano. 

But still, his solid first full season was enough to see him join the GoEleven Ducati outfit in 2020. That same 2020 season was Rinaldi’s breakthrough year in the premier class as he took a maiden win in Aragon, while also claiming a further two podiums in the Superpole race and second feature race. 

For 2021 Rinaldi switched teams for the fourth consecutive season as he joined Scott Redding in the factory Aruba.it Ducati team. 

Rinaldi managed to secure three wins in what was his best season to date, however, the Italian lost out on fourth in the championship due to a final race crash in Mandalika. 

Instead it was WorldSBK rookie Andrea Locatelli who finished P4 in the championship for Yamaha. The upcoming 2022 season will see Rinaldi being joined by former MotoGP rider Alvaro Bautista.