Carlos Checa and the Althea Racing team have finally reached an agreement for the 2012 season. The 2011 World Superbike champion will be able to ride his Althea Ducati for at least one more year as he tries to defend his title.
After taking a race win at the final round of the season, Checa said:
"I am over the moon to hear that I can stay with my team and with my bike again next year. We have built something very special here and to leave would have been heartbreaking. More than a win, today has been a moral victory – in the space of two days I have lost, and thankfully regained my team."
But Checa isn't the only weapon in the Althea Racing team's disposal. Althea Racing are not only retaining the 2011 World Superbike champion Carlos Checa, but they will also bring the 2011 Superstock champion Davide Giugliano up to the Superbike class.
Genesio Bevilacqua, General Manager of Althea Racing:"We have finally reached an agreement with Ducati that was very important for the continuation of our long term plans. Things took a little longer than expected but fortunately we have resolved these problems in a very positive way, with the help of Ducati and the good sense of all involved. I hope this announcement clears up any doubts as I know some wrong information has come out in the press in recent days. Everything is now in place and to be able to announce this at the end of the final race of the 2011 season allowed us to conclude an extremely memorable season, for us, for Ducati and for Carlos in the best possible way.
"Now what we must do is continue to fight as we have this year, even more so as we will surely be penalized as far as weight on our bike is concerned. We are extremely confident: Carlos and Davide are very determined, the team is more united than ever before and we are sure we can provide the riders with all necessary support. Particular thanks goes to Claudio Domenicali, and to Ducati for deciding to support our team in a difficult period such as this. We will do our best to repay this trust, as we have done this season, as we strive to repeat the kind of success that sacrifice and passion have allowed us to achieve this year."
