2011 Ducati Superbike
Carlos Checa will again ride the Althea Racing Ducati Superbike again in 2011. The agreement, recently renewed, will see the continuation of the Spanish motorcycle rider’s collaboration with the Italian Ducati privateer team, led by Genesio Bevilacqua, for the next two World SBK seasons.
With Checa on board, Althea Ducati Racing will attack the WSBK Championship, strengthened by both the experience gained during the 2010 season and the relationship, one of reciprocal trust, built-up between the team and Ducati Corse.
Bevilacqua, a big fan of Borgo-Panigale’s red superbikes had accepted the challenge for 2011 along with the 2011 Ducati 1198.
“Thanks to the two year agreement signed with Checa and to Ducati for the precious support, we will strive to achieve great things”, said Bevilacqua.
“Carlos will help to develop the Italian manufacturer’s (Ducati Superbike) racing activity and I am sure that we will make a good job of it. Carlos has already found the perfect mental balance so as to be able to get the best out of this bike and the team and therefore I have every confidence with regard to the future.”
Shane Byrne’s collaboration with the Ducati team will, on the other end, come to an end at the end of this season.
The Ducati team said: “We have had a great relationship with Shane but unfortunately the economics of the situation will not allow us to continue to work with him. We do not however exclude the possibility of running a second superbike.”
Having defined its plans with regard to Superbike, the team turns its attention to a new venture: Team Althea Ducati Racing will debut in the Superstock 1000 FIM Cup.
Bevilacqua considers it to be a top level championship which can provide young talents with the necessary training to be able to progress to the higher motorcycle-racing classes.
