BREAKING NEWS: Ducati has announced the company is to end its participation in the World Superbike Series as of next year, with no official factory team in 2011.
The shock announcement will see the series' most successful manufacturer focus their efforts on production motorcycles, hinting they may return with an official team in the future.
This from the team:
“This decision is part of a specific strategy made by Ducati, the aim being to further increase technological content in production models that will arrive on the market in the coming years. In order to achieve this objective, the company’s technical resources, until now engaged with the management of the factory Superbike team, will instead be dedicated to the development of the new generation of hypersport bikes, in both their homologated and Superbike race versions,” declared Gabriele Del Torchio, President and CEO of Ducati.
“I would like to thank Nori and Michel, and all of the riders that have contributed to the great history of Ducati in Superbike, but above all the Ducati employees; it is their hard work and professionalism that has allowed us to achieve such important results. A big thank you also to all of the partners that have supported us, first and foremost Xerox of course. I would also like to acknowledge the Flammini brothers who have managed the championship for so long, and the FIM, the organisation with which we have continuous, constructive relations.”
The company's statement ends with the words:
Despite the decision to interrupt its official participation in the World Superbike Championship, Ducati will continue to work, in collaboration with the championship organisers, other manufacturers and the FIM, to define a technical regulation aimed at containing costs.
