HAVING WON THE 2011 SBK CHAMPIONSHIP, THE ALTHEA RACING TEAM CONFIRMS ITS PLANS FOR THE 2012 RACING SEASON Portimao (Portugal): the 2011 World Superbike Championship came to a close only yesterday with the final round at Portimao but the Althea Racing Team is already looking to the future, with the announcement of its plans for the 2012 racing season. As was logical, after Carlos Checa”Ÿs stunning season, which saw him take the 2011 Superbike title, the renewal with Team Althea Racing has been officially confirmed and will allow the Spanish Champion to stay with the team that has helped him reach the top step of the podium on 15 occasions this season. Team Althea Racing, managed by Genesio Bevilacqua, will continue to work with Checa in 2012 and, on board his Ducati 1198, he will defend his World Championship title. Checa will also have a “new”Ÿ team-mate in the form of Davide Giugliano. This season Giugliano earned the title of Superstock 1000 Champion with Althea Racing. An extremely interesting opportunity that will see the two champions in the same box, as they both participate in the 2012 World Superbike Championship. Both the team and the riders are very pleased with the decision that has been reached and now attention turns to the organisation of the winter testing programme and planning for 2012. 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.”