Alitalia, Italy’s former national airline company, now called Alitalia-CAI is close to closing a two year sponsorship deal with Aprilia’s Superbike factory team.
CAI is owned by a group of Italian investors led by Piaggio’s President Roberto Colaninno who also controls Aprilia, Derbi, Gilera, Vespa, Guzzi and Scarabeo.
Colaninno is believed to be behind Aprilia’s dropping out of Moto2 in order to concentrate all their efforts in winning the Superbike title next year.
Alitalia has sponsored four wheel racing teams in the past such as the FIAT 131 Abarth and the Lancia Stratos.