D&B start third season with Ellison.

The D&B Ducati team will start their third British Superbike season at Silverstone this weekend with Dean Ellison retained as sole rider.

Last season, the team took regular top ten finishes, which the Alcatel backed team hope to build on in 2003 with Ellison aboard the 180bhp ex-Steve Hislop 996RS.

"2002 was a fantastic learning season on the Ducati Corse supported, ex-Hislop, factory Ducati," said Dean, whose racing career began in 1996 on an Aprilia RS125 in club racing. "We finished the championship in 10th position overall and put in some stunning performances throughout the season. With a great season under our belts the 2003 season will certainly be the one to watch."

Team Principal Danny Gallacher added to the optimism and confessed to championship aspirations.

"I know we have the rider and the team to turn heads and make a serious challenge for the championship," Gallacher declared. "2003 will be the season that will have people sit up and take notice of the Alcatel D&B Ducati Team."