Former Alstare rider Michel Fabrizio has rejoined the team and will spearhead their attack on the 2011 Superbike World Championship next year. Michel is no stranger, having raced for Team Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra in the 2003 European Superstock Championship, taking four wins and winning the title in the process. Most of the mechanics he worked with then are still with the team these days, so his first outing, during the Magny-Cours tests last week, saw him slip easily into place and start working well straightaway. The tests were hampered by poor weather on the first day, but day two saw sunshine, a dry track and rapidly falling lap times. Considering that Michel has spent the last three seasons riding a twin cylinder bike, he was soon comfortably into the groove on Suzuki Alstare’s 2010 GSX-R1000 and left the French track pleased with his first ride on a four cylinder Superbike since 2007. Michel “I am very happy with how the tests went at Magny-Cours last week, even though the weather was not so good on the first day. I am a bit surprised how easily I got used to the Suzuki Alstare bike after three years of riding a twin. A twin requires a completely different style to a four, so to jump onto a four and get comfortable so soon is a very good sign. Having known the team from before obviously helped and soon I felt as if I had never been away. My first impressions of the bike are that it feels strong and can be a title contender. Leon showed that this year, so I am looking forward to more tests and then racing it. This championship is very hard and competitive and you have to be on your game all the time. But, I know I have a good team behind me and I think we can have a very good season next year.” Michel Fabrizio bio Date of birth 17th September 1984 Place of birth Rome Nationality Italian Marital status Married to Deborah, with two children – Nicolas and Micol Height 1.73 m Weight 64 kg Hair Dark brown Eyes Brown Hobbies Football, cinema Career First raced minimoto, aged 6 2001 1st – Aprilia Challenge 2002 GP 125 World Championship 2003 1st – European Superstock 1000 Championship Team Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra 2004 22nd, MotoGP (Team WCM) 2005 5th, World Supersport Championship (Megabike Honda) 2006 11th, World Superbike Championship (DFXTreme Honda) 2007 11th, World Superbike Championship (DFX Honda) 2008 8th, World Superbike Championship (Ducati Xerox) 7 podiums 2009 3rd, World Superbike Championship (Ducati Xerox) 15 podiums, including 3 wins 2010 8th, World Superbike Championship (Ducati Xerox) 6 podiums, including 1 win