The start of the 2016 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship saw a big change for the Althea team, with a switch from Ducati machinery to BMW. The switch has been a challenging one, although the Italian outfit have been getting closer and closer to the front, with a number of top 5 results. Jordi Torres, already a WorldSBK race winner in 2015, and rookie teammate Markus Reiterberger, twice IDM champion, have both shown pace and progression, with the more experience Spaniard leading the charge.

“The decision was made after we struggled in 2015,” says Bevilacqua of the switch. “I think it was the best solution for us to return in an official way. Our relationship with BMW has allowed us to fight for the front row and we expect before the end of the season to get good results.”

Althea are not the only team who are running BMW machinery, with rivals Milwaukee BMW also counting on the German marque. Althea have so far proved to have the upper hand however, something Bevilacqua says is down to experience – although the goal is not only to be top BMW; the team want more.

“Milwaukee haven’t got a lot of experience in WorldSBK,” explains the Italian. “I think everyone needs time to learn this difficult Championship. But we’re not completely satisfied with our results because as everyone knows in the past we won World Championships and we always expect more from our own performance. For sure we have a good package and we want to improve when we have more information and many different things to adjust with the chassis and the engine. But we’re convinced that if we keep going as we are, we should get where we expect. We share all our track experience with BMW but we also work in a separate way, especially with the chassis. But BMW is completely involved with the engine and with the electronics; because they have a lot more sources of information than us.”

With that in mind and the bike a shared project, what does Bevilacqua think of his riders’ performances so far?

“Everyone knows Jordi is a very good rider,” asserts the Team Manager of GP and WorldSBK winner Torres. “For us he’s one of the best. We want to be able to give him the best package to express his skill, and so we can get on the podium as soon as we can. Then, first of all I hope Markus gets well soon in his recovery from this terrible crash. We’re very impressed with the performance of Markus, although for sure he is now paying a bit of a price for not having much experience in this Championship. We’re convinced that when he comes back he will improve a lot.”

Torres has already been a front row qualifier and a race winner in WorldSBK, and although those results were with a different team in his rookie year, the experience is a sure advantage to the team. Reiterberger has also impressed, and is currently in recovery from his crash in Race 2 at Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli and hoping to return for his home Round at Lausitzring in September. The Pirelli German Round will also see STK1000 back on track after their summer break, with Althea eager to resume the title fight fielding Raffaele De Rosa – who currently leads the points standings.

“STK1000 is a different way to work,” says Bevilacqua of the difference between STK1000 and WorldSBK. “It’s easier because the base of the bike is really good. So we don’t struggle to get results, and with such a good rider. Our goal is to allow him to be fast in every race with the base of the bike and our experience.”

With title hopes in STK1000 and podium possibilities in WorldSBK, what is the team looking at for next year?

“After many Races in WorldSBK, now is the time to think about the podium. That’s our goal and maybe we can get that good result before the end of the year. Then, we are really satisfied with our riders and with BMW, so I don’t think we want to change anything!”

Althea are back at BMW’s home Pirelli German Round from the 16^th-18^th September at Eurospeedway Lausitzring, with the paddock coming back from summer break after Laguna Seca – for WorldSBK - or Misano for WorldSSP and STK1000.