TEAM ALTHEA RACING KICKS OFF THE EUROPEAN LEG OF THE SBK TOUR THIS WEEKEND AT IMOLA Imola (Italy), Wednesday 28th March 2012: team Althea Racing and its riders Carlos Checa and Davide Giugliano arrived at Imola today, ready to do battle in the second round of the World Superbike Championship, taking place this weekend. The Althea men have made the most of the month-long break between the first and second events, using the time to prepare, mentally and physically, for the run of upcoming races. At the opening round of Phillip Island, which took place in Australia one month ago, reigning world champion Carlos Checa experienced highs and lows; after an unexpected crash in race 1, the Spanish rider made up for things by winning race 2, pocketing 25 all-important championship points. Checa arrives at Imola in fourth position in the standings, behind Biaggi, Melandri and Sykes. Checa’s new team-mate Davide Giugliano was racing at the Australian track for the first time. He closed race one in a solid ninth position and the second race of the day in thirteenth, earning himself ten precious points and twelfth place in the riders’ standings. Last season, Ducati’s home track awarded Checa a race win and a third place finish while Giugliano was runner-up in his Stock 1000 race. One of the more favourable tracks as far as the Ducati 1198 is concerned, both riders have high hopes for this upcoming Imola race weekend. Carlos Checa: “I’m feeling good after a month off. I’ve been skiing these last days, having a bit of fun, and now I feel ready to get back on track. We have good references at Imola of course but we need to see how we are doing compared to our rivals. I’m feeling confident, because it’s a good track for the Ducati and also a track that I really like (I’ve won three of the last four races). I have some great memories of last year’s event – great emotions, great fans and I hope it is the same again this time around. I always enjoy racing at historic tracks like Imola, and to do well there is always extremely satisfying.” Checa’s Superbike form at Imola: 2011: Race 1 3rd, Race 2 – winner 2010: Race 1- winner, Race 2 – winner 2009: Race 1 DNF, Race 2 10th Davide Giugliano: “I’ve done what physical training I can for the upcoming race but I’m still suffering from inflammation of the arm, which caused me problems during the Phillip Island round. We’ll have to see how that holds up this weekend when I get on the bike. But I really like the Imola track and I love racing at home in Italy, so I hope to be able to make two strong races come Sunday.” CIRCUIT DATA Country: Italy Name: Autodromo Enzo and Dino Ferrari Imola Length of circuit: 4.959 km Pole Position: left Race distance: 21 laps/103.656 km LAP RECORDS: Best lap Checa (Ducati) 1’47.934 (2011). Superpole Checa (Ducati) 1’47.196 (2011). 2011 RESULTS: Race 1 – 1. Rea (Honda); 2. Haga (Ducati); 3. Checa (Ducati). Race 2 1. Checa (Ducati); 2. Haga (Ducati); 3. Camier (Aprilia).