Paolo Ciabatti says he has received 22 provisional entries for the 2012 World Superbike Championship, 18 of which have already been formally confirmed.
Speaking at the launch of the new Moscow Raceway, which will host the first Russian round of the World Superbike Championship next year, Ciabatti outlined that there would be seven Ducatis, four BMWs, four Kawasakis, three Aprilias, two Hondas and two Suzukis.
Signalling a provisional increase year-on-year after the 2011 season was established with 21 entries, so far 18 riders have been officially confirmed ahead of the 2012 season, with the available spots seemingly being shared by Ducati Roma – which is expected to run with Niccol Canepa -, Effenbert Liberty Ducati, which looks set to enter four bikes in 2012, and Team Pedercini, which hasn't announced any riders as yet.
"Despite the difficult economic situation in Europe, for next year we have a provisional grid of 22 permanent riders, two more than in 2011," he said.
Though the admission doesn't state whether more entries are forthcoming, it does appear to suggest that ParkinGO, which originally announced it would run a Ducati, has now opted for an Aprilia, while there is no obvious space for PATA Racing, which entered an Aprilia for
Noriyuki Haga in 2011.
Others to withdraw include Yamaha and Alstare Suzuki, though Ducati Roma, ParkinGO and Crescent Racing will represent new entries, while champions Althea will expand to two bikes as well.