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An amalgamation of two famous names inside the WSBK paddock, DFX and Borciani, the new-for 2011 Pata Aprilia team intends to show that a privateer effort really can compete at the highest level in the modern era. The composite parts of the overall team have a provenance that is high class from start-to-finish. In the rider, Pata Aprilia has one of the most successful riders in WSBK racing, Noriyuki Haga.

Winner of 43 races, Haga can follow his WSBK path way back to 1994. He has started nearly 300 races in this class, and has taken a remarkable 112 podiums - yet only seven pole positions. He won two races in 2010, and his aim in 2011 is to at least add to his win total.

The Borciani element of the team has recent experience of the Aprilia RSV4, having swapped from Ducati to Aprilia machinery mid-way through last year. DFX continued on their Ducatis in 2010, and Lorenzo Lanzi delivered some good results at season end. The logical alliance of two staunch WSBK teams into one even greater whole for 2011 was a positive step, and welcomed by all.

In their new machine Pata has a proven championship winning bike, and the support of two Aprilia engineers at teach race, all as part of the deal that should deliver two strong and competitive bikes to Haga.

The team has undergone a few tests already but can we see Haga add to his winning total in the first round at Australia? A big ask. But any race win for any competitor in 2011 will be a major achievement, whether factory rider or privateer.