Bevilacqua happy of being back with Ducati
The Althea Racing Team Owner is hoping for a successful season with Ducati and Canepa in the EVO class
Genesio Bevilacqua and his Althea Racing Team are back with Ducati to take on the 2014 edition of the eni FIM Superbike World Championship. The Italian squad will run an EVO-spec Ducati 1199 Panigale that will be ridden by 25 year old Niccolò Canepa, who already has a wealth of experience on the twin-cylinder machine made in Borgo Panigale. For many different reasons, Bevilacqua is feeling really confident about the upcoming season.
How does it feel to be back with Ducati?
“We’re back with Ducati with full commitment and great expectations, I’m sure the return of Paolo Ciabatti and the arrival of Gigi Dall’Igna will lead to a good change in the sporting plans of the company. I kept a good relationship with both of them and they were immediately helpful towards me, so I had absolutely no problem in joining back the Ducati family even with an EVO bike.”
“We have great memories with Ducati and we achieved a lot together, especially in 2011 when we won both WSBK and STK1000 titles. I’m sure the bike has improved a lot and now Marinelli and all the technicians can give us a highly competitive machine, in my opinion the one to watch in the EVO class.”
Do you have any test planned before the season opener?
“Unfortunately we won’t be ready before Phillip Island, as it took a lot of time to put the whole team plan and budget together.”
How important is the EVO class for a private team?
“The EVO class is important for everyone. I’m sure we will see again a full grid in WSBK. Moreover, I think the level of the field will still be very high, as the EVO riders will be using tyres more performing than the WSBK ones. I believe in this project and to me it is a sort of fresh start, like in 2010, and everyone remembers how it went.”
After launching Davide Giugliano on the world stage, now you are betting on another young Italian rider
“Canepa hasn’t achieved yet what he really deserves. He’s a very strong rider and a true professional. I like his attitude and I’m sure my team will help him finding the right motivation and make that step forward to get some important results. I’m really happy of the choices I’ve made.”
