Carlos Checa Signs with Althea Ducati for 2010

 Althea Racing Team revealed that it has signed Carlos Checa, who will compete on a 2010 model Ducati 1098R machine, for the 2010 World Superbike Championship season. Moreover, Massimo Tulli will handle all of the motorbike settings and technical co-ordination.

Checa, who is renowned for its Superbike, 500 and MotoGP world championship results, will participate with the Altea Ducati Team in the two-day testing on October 27-28 at the Portimao Circuit in Portugal.

Though official sources say it will use four motorcycles, the team has still not decided if someone else will be joining Carlos Checa for the new season’s lineup, as negotiations are still pending with some important riders.

"I'm very satisfied with the agreement reached with Ducati because it allows us to take part in the next World Superbike Championship with the right bikes to battle for the podium. I'm also absolutely delighted to welcome Carlos Checa on board with our team. I know him personally and I admire his capabilities. He's a rider that I've always hoped could be part of our team. Carlos is strongly motivated and he's on the same wavelength as we are in terms of projects and targets," commented Genesio Bevilacqua.

"After two years with Honda and the Ten Kate team, I've decided to change and I'm extremely happy to join the Althea Ducati Team. I know Genesio Bevilacqua is a determined and capable manager and I hope to reach excellent results with his team. I'm impatient to get to Portimao to be able to end my racing season in the best possible way and also to start to get to know my new team and try out my new bike. I'm very happy to be back on a Ducati motorcycle and I look forward to start working immediately with my technical staff because our target is to be competitive right from the very first Superbike championship races," said Carlos Checa.