Former STK1000 title contender Niccolò Canepa (Althea Racing Team Ducati) has had a mixed WSBK return season so far, having struggled with technical problems occurred to his EVO-spec 1199 Panigale R several times, especially during the race. The Italian rider is anyway happy of being part of the Althea Racing Team and he is confident on his chances to still battle for the EVO title until the end of the season.

After nine rounds completed, how would you judge your 2014 season?

“I’m overall happy. The bike was new, we are the only team developing it and we had many question marks at the beginning of the year. Being amongst the fastest of the EVO class has surely been a proof of our competitiveness.”

You have always been very fast in practice, but you missed something during the races to be the best classified in the EVO class. What was it?

“I had problems in several occasions, the most evident at Imola when I was forced to retire after leading the EVO field with a 10 second advantage. Other times we lacked in consistency as apparently, the Panigale wears the tyres quicker than other bikes and this happened to the factory riders, too. We are working on it to make sure we can keep a fast pace throughout the whole race distance.”

You did not have an easy time with technical problems…

“Yeah, I had many issues in practice and especially during the races. I lost many points, but it’s something that can happen when the bike is quite new. I want to point out that the guys have never done anything wrong, we just had back luck. I’m really happy of the way they work and by the fact that they always support me in good and bad times.”

Is there a round in which you thought you could have had a better result?

“I was sure that I could have been the best placed rider in the EVO class in the two races at Imola but I had to retire in both occasions. On the other hand, at Donington Park I thought I had it but Salom passed me twice at the last lap. Those were my mistakes, but you can learn a lot from them.”

What is the goal for the last rounds?

“I’m not one who gives up easily so I will keep fighting as long as I’m still mathematically in the title race. I will do my very best and I hope this will mean winning.”

How is the relationship between you and the team?

“It is like family. You can see from miles that they are a title winning team and they know how to support their rider the best way. I have the best people around me and the whole team is solid around Genesio’s lead.”

Are you already thinking about next year? Where would you like to be?

“The plan with the Althea team was to continue in 2015, too. The bikes will be all the same again and that means we will be able to try and fight for the top placings. We still need to talk about next year and define all the details, but I would be happy to stay here and to keep this project going.”

What are the strong and weak points of your EVO-spec 1199 Panigale R?

“We are a bit behind our rivals in terms of electronics. We don’t have the anti-wheeling system and there are only a few changes we can make with traction control and engine brake. Next year things will change, though. I like how the bike handles and the rideability can be further improved with more advanced electronics.”