Iannuzzo returns to WSBK with Grillini BMW

Grillini BMW unveils its plans for the 2013 World Superbike Championship with the announcement that it has signed the experienced Vittorio Iannuzzo.
Brignola, French WSBK 2012
Brignola, French WSBK 2012
© Gold and Goose

Vittorio Iannuzzo will return to the World Superbike Championship in 2013 after penning a new deal with Grillini BMW.

Iannuzzo has cut a familiar figure in the racing paddock since making his European debut in 1999, the 30-year-old having now competed at Superstock, Supersport and Superbike level over the last 13 years.

A former Superstock 1000 champion, Iannuzzo has started 93 WSBK races since 2003 during stints aboard Suzuki, Ducati, Kawasaki and Honda machinery, most recently in 2010 when he competed with the Italian-based Squadra Corse outfit.

Iannuzzo's return to World Superbikes comes after he finished ninth overall in the 2012 Supersport class with the Suriano Triumph team, the 30-year-old's positive season duly earning him the opportunity to get back on the WSBK grid aboard an upgraded BMW S1000RR.

"It's going to be a tough season because World Superbike, together with MotoGP, is at the very top in bike racing," said Iannuzzo, whose best WSBK finish remains a seventh place achieved in 2003.

"For us any position that will give us points in the standings will be a great result. I'm sure we can do a good job and I'd like to thank Andrea Grillini, my manager Ciro Troncone and our sponsors who have supported us in the last few years and who continue to do so".

After failing to land a MotoGP CRT place, Grillini Progea entered World Superbikes in 2012 with Mark Aitchison riding a privateer BMW S1000RR initially.

However, after parting ways with the Australian rider five rounds into the season, Grillini would later settle on Norino Brignola for the second-half of the season, the Italian veteran notching up ten points and a best finish of 11th at Magny-Cours.

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