Ex-WorldSBK rider Davide Giugliano signs Fuligni brothers for D34G Ducati team
Team Manager of the new D34G Ducati Racing Team, ex-WorldSBK rider Davide Giugliano has signed Italian brothers Filippo and Federico Fuligni for the upcoming 2022 WorldSSP season.
Giugliano, who competed in WorldSBK from 2011 to 2018, was unable to record a victory during his time in the premier class, however, the Italian did manage 14 podiums.
The 2022 season won’t be Giugliano’s first as a team manager after the 32 year-old was in charge of the same D34G Racing team in 2021 - competed in two rounds as a wildcard.
Both wildcard appearances were as part of Giugliano’s Yamaha set-up, which has since swapped the Japanese manufacturer for Ducati who are making their return to WorldSSP for the first time since 2007.
Both Filippo and Federico Fuligni will be aboard the newly-homologated for WorldSSP, Ducati Panigale V2 995cc machine.
"It’s a very important step for the team but we are ready for it and the results we have achieved previously prove it," said Giugliano. "The rule changes have brought new life to WorldSSP; it was already a very strong championship that now sees the arrival of new manufacturers, which brings a much higher level of competition and a greater show.
"To be making this step with Ducati, given my time as a racer, is obviously something very special and the same will be for those who have followed my career as a rider.
"I must say I’m thinking about trying the bike myself, which I have never done before in my role as team manager, but I’m very curious to see how the bike performs.
"Filippo is a pleasant confirmation for us, in light of all the good things he showed last year in the Italian championship as well as in his WorldSSP wildcard.
"I think Federico has all the tools to do well aboard the Ducati: his experience will be very important for us and I’m confident he can showcase all his potential in this new chapter of his career.
"I would like to thank the sponsor, the technical partners and everyone involved – including Ducati – for trusting our project. I hope we can repay their trust with the results they deserve as soon as possible!"
The new D34G Ducati team will be part of the 2022 WorldSSP challenge, meaning they will compete only in the European rounds, of which there are eight.
Filippo Fuligni added: "I’m very happy to continue on this journey with Davide and Giada. I have the greatest amount of trust in the team: we worked very well together last year and until the halfway point in the season we were battling for the title (CIV Supersport championship), before a shoulder injury started affecting our performance (even though we were quite fast anyway).
"Our World Championship wildcard was also very positive, with great results in free practice and the top ten in race one. Our goal is to be consistently in the top ten and to finish the year as the best placed WorldSSP Challenge rider.
"There are many tracks I don’t know but surely having my brother in the same team will help a lot and I’m very happy to be racing alongside him. We already shared the same garage before and things went well, and we will push each other to the limit."
Unlike his younger brother Filippo, Federico has three full seasons of WorldSSP action along with 30 appearances in Moto2.
"First of all, I would like to thank Davide because it’s not every day that you get the chance to join such a team and even share the garage with your brother," Federico added: "Last year, we took part in the last race of the CIV season together and I found myself very at ease with both him and the team. This is the reason why we decided to join forces in 2022.
"I’m really excited about this opportunity, and I cannot wait to get on track aboard the Ducati, a new bike by a brand that has a strong connection with Davide.
"I’m sure his experience will help us improve a lot. I’m looking forward to the first test so that I can join the team and get to know the new staff members, gel with them and be as ready as possible for the season opener."
