With Althea Racing and Ducati officially splitting up after three-year World Superbike collaboration, the Italian manufacturer is looking for a new team to run Carlos Checa and the 1199 Panigale next season and they have eyed Francis Batta as the man for the job.
Batta withdrew his squad at the end of 2011 after 15 years of presence in both World Superbikes, Supersport, Superstock 1000 after Suzuki decided not to continue supporting the team and the Belgium manager came to the conclusion that he didn’t want to run any other machinery as a sign of respect for the Hamamatsu manufacturer, but he did have plans to field a team in the support classes but they were scuppered when he couldn’t find the budget.
However Batta’s luck seems to be turning around as he confirmed to Italian website GPone.
com that he is in negotiations with Borgo Panigale to field Carlos Checa and maybe even Sylvain Guintoli (who turned red coat on a signed deal with FIXI Crescent Suzuki), but the manager will still have to come up with part of the funding unless Ducati/Audi decide that fielding two riders are better than one in helping in the development of the new Superbike.
If the deal goes through we may hearing an announcement later today or during this weekend.