Go Eleven Ducati better than ever: Baldassarri more successful than Iannone

After two years with Andrea Iannone, Go Eleven had had enough of the former MotoGP rider’s antics and signed Lorenzo Baldassarri for the 2026 Superbike World Championship – effectively an ‘anti-Iannone’. However, the truth was also that the 37-year-old Iannone had secured one victory and eight podium finishes for the team over two years, and in 2024 he scored more points than any rider before him.

However, when Baldassarri roared across the finish line in third place in the first race at the season opener at Phillip Island, all the sceptics fell silent. Although he managed only one further top-three finish in the remaining 35 races, overall the 29-year-old was more consistent than his high-profile compatriot and finished the season sixth in the World Championship with 236 points. By way of comparison, Iannone scored 231 points in his best season and finished eighth in the World Championship.

“We’ve broken our points record, and I must thank the entire technical team, as well as Balda himself, for these consistent results,” said team manager Denis Sacchetti, drawing a positive conclusion. “I’m proud of the whole team – we didn’t have a single technical problem or a single forced retirement all season, which is a testament to the excellent work.”

Following his solid season, Baldassarri has already secured his contract for the coming season. “Apart from a few minor mistakes, it was a fantastic year in which we consistently finished in the top six,” emphasised Balda. “Securing sixth place in the World Championship whilst setting a personal points record makes me proud – we’ve been battling it out against the best teams and manufacturers all year long. I’d like to thank everyone who stands behind me and supports me, as well as my entire crew. I can’t wait for the next season to begin!”

Go Eleven is expected to fill the second rider slot with Supersport World Champion Albert Arenas.

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