Tito Rabat has signed a contract with Puccetti Kawasaki and will take part in a full World Superbike season for the first time in 2024.
The successful partnership between Tito Rabat and Kawasaki Puccetti Racing is expected to continue after signing a deal to ride the team’s sole ZX-10RR entry for the 2024 World Superbike campaign.
The Spanish rider will be able to take on a full season with the Italian team for the first time, after having previously represented the team as a replacement rider. After contesting in nine events in 2021, Tito only made one appearance for Manuel Puccetti’s squad in 2022 at Misano and took part in 21 races in 2023.
Rabat is set to hit the track in two pre-season tests as part of the program, which will be held in Jerez and Portimao in January, before tackling the first race of the season at Phillip Island in February.
Having only been brought in as replacement rider on several occasions for the past three years, the 34-year-old is hoping that a full campaign will make it possible for him to produce the kind of milestones he is capable of achieving in 2024.
“I’m very happy to have come to an agreement that allows me to stay with Kawasaki Puccetti Racing,” said Rabat. “I’ve always had a great relationship with Manuel and the entire team.
“In the past, I’ve been called upon to stand-in once the season’s been underway, so I’m sure that if I can take part in winter testing and all the races, our results will be better than what we’ve achieved to date.
“I expect an even more competitive bike and so can’t wait to start my 2024 season!”
Earlier in the year, Puccetti made an incredible move by signing 2013 WorldSBK champion Tom Sykes to its one-bike program; however, the British rider had his contract terminated after just four races.
After being brought in to replace Sykes, Rabat finished the season with the exception of the Magny-Cours round as he was obligated to race in the MotoE championship.
“It is with great pleasure that we announce our agreement with Tito Rabat for the 2024 WorldSBK season,” said team boss Manuel Puccetti. “We’re very happy to continue to build on this collaboration with such a talented and professional rider, with whom our entire team immediately got on well.
“Up until now, Rabat has stood in for other riders, without having the chance to complete testing together and so we’re pleased to be able to run an entire season with him in 2024.
“Our preparation will involve winter tests in January, at both Jerez and Portimao, where Tito will be able to build confidence with a Ninja that will be even more competitive than the 2023 machine, also thanks to updates resulting from concession parts.
“Our goal will be to regular top ten finishes.”
Tito Rabat, who was born in Barcelona on May 25, 1989, began to gain reputation as a talented rider in the CEV 125 class in 2005 and later advanced to the world championship in the same category.
After competing in the aforementioned class for five years, from 2011 to 2015, Rabat switched to Moto2, where he claimed the world championship in 2014.
Rabat made his MotoGP debut in 2016 and continued to race in the premier class until 2021, when he made the decision to move to the World Superbike series and went on to win the Spanish SBK championship in 2022.
