The Aruba.it Racing – Ducati team arrives in Argentina for the penultimate round of the 2019 Superbike World Championship

Following the final European round at Magny-Cours, the Aruba.it Racing – Ducati team has now flown to Argentina for the twelfth and penultimate round of the season, set to play out at the San Juan Villicum circuit. The track, which is situated in the centre-west part of the country not far from the border with Chile, was only completed last year and as a result is still a bit of an unfamiliar factor for Chaz Davies but above all for Álvaro Bautista, who has never even seen the place.

Both riders will want to conclude this penultimate round in the best possible way, looking to capitalize on the last remaining opportunities to go in search of podiums and victories. Currently, Bautista (415 points) and Davies (223 points) are respectively second and seventh in the overall standings. The Aruba.it Racing – Ducati team will take to the track on Friday 12th October at 10.30 local time (CET -5) for the first free practice session.

Álvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati #19) – 2nd (415 points)

“There are only two rounds left in the championship now, in Argentina and Qatar, so it’s very important to win some races before the end of the season. Now the next track at San Juan Villicum will be completely new for me, and surely the other riders have a lot more experience than me because they raced here last year. I’ll try and learn the track as quickly as possible and be competitive throughout the weekend. Our target is to work well and try and get the maximum in the last two rounds.”

Chaz Davies (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati #7) – 7th (223 points)

“We’ve only been once to Argentina, so as a result we don’t have many references on this track, and above all none with the Panigale V4 R. From what I hear the track isn’t used a lot, so I think it will be another case of the circuit conditions changing throughout the weekend and you just have to get to grips with it. It’s an enjoyable layout, really fun to ride, I liked it a lot last year and I enjoy Argentina as well so there’s a lot to look forward to.”

The San Juan Villicum circuit

WorldSBK arrived in Argentina in 2018, with the San Juan Villicum circuit in the western province of San Juan becoming the host venue for the Argentinean Round for a second successive year. This circuit, after hosting a number of other events, has become one of the main motorsport venues of Argentina. Its mainly mountainous relief interspersed by valleys under a mild dry climate makes it an ideal place for all kind of sportive activities.

Circuit Record: Melandri (Ducati) 1’39.012 (155.47 km/h) – 2018

Fastest Lap: Rea (Kawasaki) 1’39.175 (155.22 km/h) – 2018

Track Length: 4.276 km

Race Distance: 2 x 21 laps (89.796 km), 1 x 10 laps (42.760 km)

Corners: 17 (10 left, 7 right)

2018 Results

Race 1: 1. Rea (Kawasaki); 2. Melandri (Ducati); 3. Razgatlioglu (Kawasaki)

Race 2: 1. Rea (Kawasaki); 2. Fores (Ducati); 3. Melandri (Ducati);

Álvaro Bautista

Bike: Ducati Panigale V4 R

Race Number: 19

Age: 34 (born on 21st November 1984 in Talavera de la Reina, Spain)

SBK Races: 30

First SBK Race: 2019 Phillip Island

Wins: 15

First Win: 2019 Phillip Island

Pole Positions: 3

First Pole Position: 2019 Buriram

Fastest Laps: 14

World Titles: 1 (2006 125cc)

Chaz Davies

Bike: Ducati Panigale V4 R

Race Number: 7

Age: 32 (born on 10th February 1987 in Knighton, UK)

SBK Races: 207

First SBK Race: 2012 Imola

Wins: 30

First Win: 2012 Nürburgring

Pole Positions: 7

First Pole Position: 2015 Laguna Seca

Fastest Laps: 31

World Titles: 1 (2011 Supersport)