WSS: Factory status confirmed at BE1 launch

The ParkinGO Triumph BE1 Racing team launched its 2009 World Supersport campaign at Milan, where its new factory status was also officially sanctioned by Triumph representatives.

Triumph made a return to international competition in 2008 with the Daytona 675 but, while the bike went on to dominate the British Supersport series, it failed to claim a podium on the world stage.

Even so, it was the customer BE1 team - rather than the factory SC outfit - that got the best from the bike, with Mark Aitchison finishing the season as its best representative in 14th overall.

As such, the Italian outfit has been promoted to factory status for 2009, when it will field the experienced rider line-up of Garry McCoy and Gianluca Nannelli.

"I'm really glad to announce the promotion of BE1 Racing to factory team status," said team owner Giuliano Rovelli. "It means that we were able to do an excellent work in our first year of championship. Our 2009 goals are ambitious. We signed up two quick and experienced riders who are expected to help the team to grow further. During the last autumn we worked hard and during the first meeting with our rivals at Portimao testing we showed our improvements. It's still a long way to reach the top but we are burning to come back to work and we think to be on the right way".

Having been sidelined for much of the year following a crash at Brno, ex-MotoGP rider McCoy then followed Triumph in moving from SC to BE1 and is hoping to be quick from the off, on home ground, in 2009.

"I already knew the bike because I rode it last year with another team," McCoy confirmed. "At the last round of 208 I had the chance to work with the Team ParkinGO Triumph BE1 Racing and that event started this partnership. The opening round will take place at Phillip Island, my home-track, where I have always had exciting races. I hope to thrill all my fans and to the team."

Nannelli, meanwhile, comes to the team having raced with Althea Honda in 2008, the Italian finishing in tenth position overall with a best result of fifth place in Spain.

"I really wanted to become a member of this team and I'm sure that this partnership will bear fruit," he declared. "I have the opportunity to work shoulder to shoulder with a legend in the world motorcycling. We respect each other and that allows us to work together in order to develop the bike: the Daytona 675 2009 grows lap by lap. The competition has never been so tight as it will be in the incoming season, nevertheless I'm sure I can get good results."