Reigning WorldSBK Best Independent Team BARNI Racing Team will have to face more than a change this year, as they will be bringing the all-new Ducati Panigale V4 R to the field with their new rider 23-year-old Michael Rinaldi.

On top of that, the 2019 season will welcome a new technical partner for the Italian based squad. The BARNI Racing Team announced that they recently signed a deal with Showa, one of the most important suspension manufacturer in the world, meaning they will have their V4 R equipped with the iconic “emerald coated” front fork and rear damper produced by the Japanese company.



“Showa don’t need an introduction in the motorcycle racing scene, they are one of the best suspension’s manufacturers in the world, and we are delighted to have reached an agreement with them. They decided to believe in our project, and this makes us proud” explained Marco Barnabò, team principal of the BARNI Racing Team. “We know that at the beginning we might face some difficulties, but this is the right time to change and put new suspensions on a bike which is all new as well.”

Hidehiko Koyano, Showa R&D vice president added: “We are very proud to join the BARNI Racing Team for 2019. This new project is very important for us to understand whether our products can adapt to different types of machines. We worked very hard on developing this new project, and all our engineers were involved in it.”

During the four days of testing at Jerez and Portimao, Michael Rinaldi was already able to work alongside the Japanese engineers testing the new components for his V4 R, and now he will head to Phillip Island for the last two days of Official Winter Test where he will continue to work alongside his crew to get ready for his first round of the season with the Bergamo based squad.

Follow Michael Rinaldi and the BARNI Racing Team heading into the 2019 FIM Superbike World Championship season, all with the WorldSBK VideoPass.