Philipp Oettl signs two-year deal with GoEleven Ducati in WorldSBK

Current WorldSSP rider Philipp Oettl will be joining the WorldSBK grid next season after agreeing to a two-year deal with GoEleven Ducati.

The former Grand Prix rider will be replacing long-time Ducati man Chaz Davies who announced his retirement on the eve of round ten in Jerez. 

The German rider was seen as a favorite to move into WorldSBK for 2022, however, it was considered likely that a progression to the premier class would take place with Kawasaki - his current manufacturer in Supersport. 

But with British Superbike champion Tarran Mackenzie not getting the GoEleven seat, which would have likely seen a switch to Yamaha machinery for the Italian based team, it’s Oettl who instead joins Alvaro Bautista, Michael Rinaldi, Axel Bassani and Luca Bernadi in completing Ducati’s five-rider line-up across four teams. 

With Oettl having various opinions on the table in both WorldSBK and WorldSSP for 2022, the chance to join GoEleven Ducati was ‘my desired team’. 

"I am very happy that after two successful seasons in the World Supersport Championship that I can make the step to WorldSBK with Go Eleven," said Oettl. 

"I hope that I can learn fast, I think that this is possible with a good group of people, and with Go Eleven I have all the possibilities to achieve good results. 

"From the outside, Go Eleven was my desired Team, almost from the beginning of the 2022 deals. 

"I can't wait to start this experience on the big bike, to learn as much as possible, to start next season and to improve round by round. 

"I am happy to ride the Ducati, it's a great manufacturer and I really wanted this opportunity in Superbike, especially considering the successful past Ducati has had!"

With one round left of the 2021 World Supersport championship, Oettl currently lies fifth - tied for points with Jules Cluzel and remains with an outside chance of third.