{
  "id": 14678349,
  "title": "Franco Morbidelli on securing most coveted WSBK ride: 'Clearly Ducati has some trust in me'",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/15/franco-morbidelli-on-securing-most-coveted-wsbk-ride-clearly-ducati",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-15T11:07:34.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/franco-morbidelli-securing-most-coveted-110734771.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Former MotoGP rider Franco Morbidelli has expressed his gratitude to Ducati for offering him the opportunity to join their factory World Superbike team. The Italian, who recently lost the trust that once made him a three-time winner, is set to replace World Superbike champion Nicolo Bulega in the VR46 team. Morbidelli, 31, acknowledged that it was not an easy decision for Ducati to make, given his recent performance decline and history of incidents on the track. However, he emphasized that the manufacturer clearly trusts in his abilities. Morbidelli will bring his Michelin tire expertise and his past success to the World Superbike role. He vowed to bring his fighting spirit, which he honed in both Moto2 and MotoGP, to the competition.",
  "summary": "The VR46 rider was upbeat about his impending move to World Superbike - and grateful his poor form did not cost him the chance",
  "key_points": [
    "Ducati offers Franco Morbidelli factory WSBK ride.",
    "Morbidelli replaces Nicolo Bulega at VR46 team.",
    "Brings Michelin tire expertise and fighting spirit."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Motorsport.com",
        "title": "Franco Morbidelli on securing most coveted WSBK ride: 'Clearly Ducati has some trust in me'",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/15/franco-morbidelli-on-securing-most-coveted-wsbk-ride-clearly-ducati-14679075",
        "published": "2026-10-15T11:07:34.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}