2012 World Superbike Prep
The reigning World Superbike champion Carlos Checa and the Althea Ducati team has landed in Australia to complete final preparations before a testing session at Phillip Island Monday and Tuesday.
These private tests precede the first official World Superbike test sessions at Phillip Island Feb. 20-21 before the first race on Feb. 26.
Over the winter break, Checa and his new teammate Davide Giugliano, the 2011 Superstock 1000 Champion, worked on their physical and mental preparations. But now, under the guidance of team manager Genesio Bevilacqua, the squad will work on the set-up of the Ducati 1198 superbikes, ensuring the machines that are 13 lbs. heavier this season will be competitive in the opening races.
Althea Ducati says: “Carlos is looking forward to getting back to work with his trusted team of engineers and mechanics that guided him to championship victory in 2011, while Davide relishes the challenge of racing in the Superbike category for the first time, supported by a team comprising both old and new technicians.”
Checa and Giugliano will be competing on the same Ducati 1198 that was used last year, but with updated suspension and braking systems, although the bike is heavier to comply with new World SBK regulations.
Althea Ducati says: “This clearly won’t facilitate matters for the Althea men but both riders are nevertheless confident and enthusiastic as the countdown to the 2012 Superbike championship continues.”
