Ducati and the Althea Racing team will go their separate ways due to the two parties failing to come to an agreement to work together for the 2013 season, according to the official website of the FIM Superbike World Championship. Carlos Checa won the 2011 FIM Superbike World Championship on an Althea Racing Ducati 1098R, and Davide Giugliano won the 2011 FIM 1000cc Superstock Cup Championship on an Althea Racing Ducati. The team also won the Manufacturers’ Championships in both categories in 2011. Checa finished fourth in the 2012 Superbike World Championship standings, while Giugliano was ranked 10th in points at the end of 2012, his rookie season in the Superbike World Championship. Future plans for Ducati and Althea Racing have not been announced, but Ducati will continue to work with Checa (who is contracted to Ducati) and Althea Racing will continue to work with Giugliano (who is contracted to Althea Racing), according to media reports from Europe. More, from a press release issued by Ducati: Ducati confirms Carlos Checa in its 2013 World Superbike preparations Ducati continues preparations for 2013 World Superbike season. Carlos Checa confirmed as official rider. Cooperation with Team Althea Racing discontinued. Ducati is finalizing its plans for the 2013 World Superbike Championship, both in the development of the 1199 Panigale and how it will participate in the series. The company has already confirmed the renewal of its contract with Carlos Checa, who won the 2011 World Superbike Championship on a Ducati 1198, and the Spanish rider will now continue development of the new Ducati 1199 Panigale ready for its World Superbike debut year. After three years of constructive cooperation, the relationship between Ducati and Team Althea Racing will now come to an end. The cooperation from 2010 to 2012 reached major sporting achievements, including winning the 2011 Manufacturers’ and Riders’ Superbike World Championship in addition to the 2011 Manufacturers’ and Riders’ titles of the Superstock series. Despite both parties’ intention to continue the collaboration, an agreement, which meets the requirements of both Team Althea Racing and the Bologna-based manufacturer’s management, has not been found for 2013. However, the exceptionally good relationship that Ducati has enjoyed with Team Althea Racing, combined with the friendship and gratitude towards team owner, Genesio Bevilacqua, for his continuing efforts and loyalty during these years, means that other forms of cooperation between Ducati and Team Althea could still be found in the future.