Alstare Suzuki withdraws from World Superbikes.

Following confirmation that all MSMA manufacturers, other than Ducati, would not be entering - or officially supporting - any teams in the 2004 World Superbike championship, Alstare Suzuki have announced their withdraw from the class, although they will stay in World Supersport.

"On 15th November, MSMA made a statement that all the members other than Ducati will not compete in 2004 World Superbike Championship races as factory teams, and furthermore, will not provide any technical assistance on a factory basis," read a statement from Alstare team manager Francis Batta (pictured with Gregorio Lavilla). "This is due to the fact the organizer has not adopted a set of fair technical rules that had been agreed by all MSMA members, and also the fact that the organizer have decided to restrict tires to a single make.

"In accordance with the MSMA's decision, Team Alstare Suzuki has decided not to participate in 2004 World Superbike Championship races as Suzuki official Team.

"It is our heartfelt regret that we are not able to show our racing performance at the track to all of the SBK race fun. We do hope that the public can understand that we were compelled to make such a sad decision this time.

"However, we would like to announce that Team Alstare Suzuki is going to participate in 2004 World Supersport Championship races with the newly-designed GSX-R600. The official details including Riders will be announced at a later date."

Alstare ran Lavilla on a factory supported GSX-R1000 in this year's WSBK championship, and offered the only real opposition to the dominant Ducatis. Alstare also fielded Katsuaki Fujiwara and Stephane Chambon in WSS (lower pic) - the Frenchman finishing second in the championship to Chris Vermeulen.