Althea boss slams Ducati disadvantage

The Althea team manager is unhappy at the speed differential between his Ducatis and the competition following a tough weekend in Italy.
Checa, Monza WSBK Race 1 2010
Checa, Monza WSBK Race 1 2010
© Gold and Goose

Althea Ducati team boss Genesio Bevilacqua has launched another attack on the regulations that he feels are preventing his team from challenging further up the field following a difficult day at Monza.

The Italian was critical of the rules at Assen when he felt Checa was missing that additional speed to get on terms with the leaders, but the differential proved more telling at the high-speed Monza circuit as both Checa and Byrne struggled for form.

Indeed, down the straights, the pair were clocked with a best speed of 320 and 323kph respectively this weekend - comfortably down on the 330kph best achieved by Max Biaggi.

Although Byrne crept into the top ten during the second race, Bevilacqua did not hold back on his views about the results, claiming he wants to talk to the FIM governing body in an attempt to rectify the situation.

"It's evident that at Monza there is a significant difference between the performance of the two and the four cylinders. This regulation means that there is a risk of "falsifying" a show that, thanks to the performances of such talented riders, could be even more spectacular and enthralling.

"There is a defect in the regulation and something should change, because we have no chance to fight, on a level playing field, with the other bikes. We enjoy to battle it out on track but we must also speak to the FIM and the championship organizers, who need to find a solution.

"We have two of the strongest Superbike riders but with our Ducatis we have had a disappointing day. This is wrong..."

Althea Racing switched from Honda to Ducati this season and have seen their form make a significant upturn with Checa winning out of the box at Phillip Island. The Spaniard is currently joint third in the standings.

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