The last WorldSBK round at Misano saw Niccolo Canepa return to the Althea Racing team with which he contested the 2014 season on EVO machinery. Having had a full weekend to learn the latest bike, he now heads to Laguna Seca with more conviction.

“I’m pleased after my first weekend with the new bike,” says Canepa, who previously in 2015 raced EBR and Kawasaki machinery. “I was able to be consistent in both races even though, in Race 1, I unfortunately had to stop. I am adapting the bike to suit me and can’t wait to get to Laguna Seca because the bike is working really well and the feeling I have with the team is the same as last year. I’m feeling really confident.”

Team-mate Matteo Baiocco, who has been racing with Althea since the start of the season, was more downbeat after Misano.

“The Misano races did not meet with my expectations and, despite the efforts made by the whole team, we were unable to obtain what we’d hoped for,” Baiocco admits. “Now we head to the tough but spectacular Laguna Seca round. A brand-new experience for me and I cannot wait to get to grips with the track.”

Laguna Seca debuted on the WorldSBK calendar in 1995 and remained until 2004. It then returned in 2013, making this weekend’s edition the third at the historic Californian venue since it reappeared in the World Championship.