Althea Racing Team is thrilled to announce that in the upcoming 2010 racing season the team will use the 2010 model Ducati 1098R. Due to the excellent relationship between Genesio Bevilacqua, the team’s owner, and the Italian motorcycle company, the Althea team will be able to use highly competitive Ducati motorcycles together with an expert technical staff that matches Ducati’s expectations. Massimo Tulli will handle all of the motorbike settings and technical co-ordination. The rider selected to reach the team’s ambitious target is Carlos Checa, one of the best Superbike, 500 and MotoGP world championship riders. The Althea Ducati team will use four motorcycles, but to date the team has still not yet decided if someone else will be riding with Carlos Checa for the new season, as negotiations are still pending with some important riders. Carlos Checa and the Althea Ducati Team will take part in the two-day testing on October 27/28 at the Portimao Circuit in Portugal. Genesio Bevilacqua: “I’m very satisfied with the agreement reached with Ducati because it allows us to take part in the next World Superbike Championship with the right bikes to battle for the podium. I’m also absolutely delighted to welcome Carlos Checa on board with our team. I know him personally and I admire his capabilities. He’s a rider that I’ve always hoped could be part of our team. Carlos is strongly motivated and he’s on the same wavelength as we are in terms of projects and targets”. Carlos Checa: “After two years with Honda and the Ten Kate team, I’ve decided to change and I’m extremely happy to join the Althea Ducati Team. I know Genesio Bevilacqua is a determined and capable manager and I hope to reach excellent results with his team. I’m impatient to get to Portimao to be able to end my racing season in the best possible way and also to start to get to know my new team and try out my new bike. I’m very happy to be back on a Ducati motorcycle and I look forward to start working immediately with my technical staff because our target is to be competitive right from the very first Superbike championship races”.