Two of the most successful privateer teams on the World Superbike grid are reported to be considering a joint venture in 2010 with a view to possibly running a satellite Aprilia team.

According to GPOne Guandalini Racing and BRC Racing – formerly Sterilgarda Ducati – are in talks to form a single team in 2010 in a bid to stave off the financial hardship that afflicted both during the 2009 season.

Futhermore, with both teams having run Ducati machinery in recent years, a switch to Aprilia has also been mooted. This would correlate with the confirmation that former Honda team Althea Racing will get two 1098RS' in 2010, while Aprilia are known to want a satellite team to back up its factory effort.

Should the deal go ahead, one of the rides would definitely go to Jakub Smrz, who recently confirmed he is staying with Guandalini Racing in 2010. BRC, meanwhile, would be looking for a new rider following Shane Byrne's defection to Althea, although Alex de Angelis and Luca Scassa is being linked with the available seat.

BRC and Guandalini finished eighth and tenth overall respectively with Byrne and Smrz in 2009.