Chaz Davies and Davide Giugliano destined to race in Ducati colours for 2014 World Superbike season

Riders and technicians to immediately start pre-season testing 30-31 October at Jerez

Borgo Panigale (Bologna, Italy), 28 October 2013 – Following the announcement of the mutual decision to conclude early the partnership with Team Alstare, Ducati today confirm its participation in the 2014 World Superbike Championship and its agreement with the riders who will compete aboard the Ducati 1199 Panigale motorcycles.

Welsh rider, Chaz Davies, and the Italian, Davide Giugliano, are both now officially confirmed to compete for the Italian manufacturer during the 2014 and 2015 World Superbike seasons. This is an important decision for Ducati, determined to bounce back after a year of disappointing results for the 1199 Panigale, which failed to deliver the results expected in World Superbike despite its considerable success in many national championships and the highly-competitive FIM Superstock Cup.

The new Ducati Superbike riders will immediately join technicians of the Ducati development team to start work 30-31 October at Jerez de la Frontera (Spain), carrying out the first of three test sessions planned for the winter break.

More detailed information concerning the organisation and management of the team will be available in the coming weeks.

Rider profiles:

Chaz Davies  was born 10 February, 1987 in Knighton, Wales (UK) and first started racing in minimoto in 1995, winning the championship title in this rookie category the following year and retaining it until 1998. From 2002-2006 he competed at World Championship level in the 125GP category, moving up to 250GP soon after. After additional experience in the AMA championship he was selected to take part in the World Supersport Championship and in 2011 became World Supersport Champion. The following year he moved up to World Superbike, a category in which he scored his first victory in 2012 and three more in 2013.

Davide Giugliano was born in Rome on 28 October, 1989 and started his racing career in 2005 by competing in the European Superstock 600 championship, finishing third in the championship the following year. After a year in the World Supersport Championship he switched to FIM Superstock 1000 Cup and in 2011 rode the Ducati 1098 R to championship victory competing for the Althea Racing team. Giugliano made his Superbike debut in 2011, riding as a wildcard at Portimão immediately after clinching the Superstock Cup title. In 2012 he became an official rider for the Genesio Bevilacqua team alongside Carlos Checa, taking two podiums and closing the season 10th overall. In 2013, he achieved one pole position and two more podiums in the World Superbike series, finishing the championship in 6th position.

The Bournemouth based Quattro Plant Kawasaki team are mounting a concerted effort to gain more road racing podiums and wins in 2014 with the news that BikeSocial.co.uk Lightweight TT winner James Hillier will again ride for the team.

Announcing the renewal of the successful relationship, the team has also secured the endorsement of Kawasaki Motors UK as their Official entry for The TT Races as well as the North West 200.

Having climbed to the top step of the TT podium by winning the 2013 Lightweight TT on his ER-6f based machine, Hillier has declared his intention to pursue other classes including the Senior TT on the awesome Ninja ZX-10R with equal vigour and determination.

Already the Ringwood based 28 year old has become a member of the elite “131mph average lap” club at the TT and, in doing so, became one of the names that many teams had on their wish list for the coming season.

Quattro Plant Kawasaki Team Manager Pete Extance explained the importance of having James leading the team assault in next year's campaign: "To keep James for our roads assault was always the number one priority for us. I am pleased to say that he is really happy where he is and we have already started work on plans to step up our approach yet another gear in 2014. We are also delighted to retain our loyal sponsor Quattro Plant who’ve been fantastic in their support for us."

For KMUK, Racing Coordinator, Ross Burridge explained what the deal meant to Kawasaki. - "It's great news that the team have signed James for 2014. They really are coming of age as a roads team and I have no doubt that they will achieve more podium success with such a popular and proven winner next year."

Paul Phillips, TT and Motorsport Co-ordinator, Isle of Man Government, commented: "James really came of age last year, not only with his win in the Lightweight TT but also his performance in the Senior TT when he lapped at an impressive 131mph and followed John McGuinness. He is now firmly established as one of the leading TT riders and I expect him to build on his success last year and challenge for a race win in the Superbike class next year."

With spooky decorations and theatrical props installed (great for taking photos!) and novelty Halloween prizes for children and adults wearing the scariest costumes and best "dressed" vehicles, together with a special Halloween Menu available from Wednesday 23rd October through to Thursday 31st October, why not join us at the Ace for the annual, free to attend, "Shock n' Roll" party from 7pm - 11pm on Saturday 26th with DJ Jinx's Joint.
 
The Halloween theme continues daytime on Sunday 27th, for the annual Rat Rod & Rat Bike Day, and later on the same evening, from 6pm - 10.30pm for the "Slammed UK" Halloween car meet, or Thursday 31st October, from 6pm - 11pm, for Warr's HD Halloween Night!
 
The frightening choices are yours!
 
HALLOWEEN SPECIALS (available from 26th - 31st October)
 
Goblin's Blood & Guts £3.95
Homemade Pea Soup served with Croutons
 
Bat out of Hell Wings £4.95
Roasted Chicken Wings served with Celery Sticks and a Spicy Sauce Dip
 
Adam's Broken Ribs £8.95
Pork Ribs marinated in a Smokey Barbeque Sauce served with Chips
 
Road Kill £8.95
Grilled Chicken served with a selection of Roasted Vegetables and Monster Mashed Potato
 
Ghoul Lash (V) £7.95
Homemade Soya Goulash topped with Grated Cheese
 
I Scream! £3.95
Selection of Ice Creams topped with Raspberry Sauce
 
Trick or Treat Treacle Pudding £4.95
Homemade Treacle Sponge Pudding served with Red Custard
 
www.ace-cafe-london.com

The decision was taken in common agreement after a meeting in Borgo Panigale, Bologna
•Early partnership termination due to global economic downturn challenging Team Alstare’s 2014 expenses
•Ducati confirms its participation in the 2014 World Superbike Championship with plans and riders to be confirmed in the coming days

Borgo Panigale (Bologna, Italy), 25 October 2013 – By common agreement, Ducati and Alstare have decided to terminate their partnership, which started in November 2012. Ducati and Team Alstare have reached the end of a very difficult season unable to achieve the desired results, despite the effort, commitment and resources applied by both parties.

The partnership between the Bologna-based motorcycle manufacturer and Team Alstare was expected to continue in 2014, however, the current economic climate and subsequent withdrawal of support by one of Alstare’s main partners, has dictated that the Belgian team must downsize its future plans.

In a meeting held at the Ducati factory in Borgo Panigale, Bologna, Francis Batta and the Ducati management decided the best course of action would be an early termination of the agreement before the start of the 2014 season.

“I am extremely sorry that an operation that had started on such a positive note had to be concluded before its time without achieving the results we were aiming for,” said Ernesto Marinelli, Ducati SBK Project Manager. “This was a very difficult year in terms of sports performance, but I am convinced that it nevertheless made us both grow and lay solid foundations for our future development and improvement. In these months together, I experienced the constant professionalism and expertise of everyone at Team Alstare, and I hope to be able to work with them again in the future. My special thanks, both in my personal capacity and on behalf of the whole company, go to Francis for the effort he has put in this year – as he always has throughout his career.”

“I am very sad because this challenge, which began last November, was very important for me as a fresh start after missing one year,” said Francis Batta Owner of Team Alstare. “Working with Ducati was incredibly thrilling, although unfortunately, we failed to achieve the results we had set ourselves. The 2013 racing season has been incredibly hard for us, and being unable to start from a solid position in 2014, I would rather not take risks that might compromise our ability to complete the season. I would like to thank Ducati for trusting me and I wish them all the success that they deserve."

Ducati has confirmed that it will take part in the Superbike World Championship next season, with 2014 riders and racing plans to be announced in the coming days.

Road safety charity the IAM is offering tips from Britain’s top advanced driver, Peter Rodger.

Following severe weather warnings of storms over the coming weekend, the IAM is advising on how to drive in windy weather.

• Plan your journey – is there a route with less exposure to the weather and less risk of fallen trees? Choose a sheltered route if you have the option.
• Strong winds are not constant, they are usually gusty so ensure you hold the steering wheel firmly.
• Overtaking high sided vehicles or driving past buildings can result in a sudden gust from the side as you clear.
• Give cyclists, motorcyclists, lorries and buses more room than usual. They get blown around by side winds easily. Even pedestrians can be blown about.
• Watch trees and bushes on the roadside - their branches can show you how strong the wind is.  Look well ahead, that way you don’t need to take your eye off the road and you can see any windy patches before you get to them.
• Go slow enough to cope with the gusts.  Wind can get under a car and reduce its handling and braking significantly.
• Keep an eye on what is happening to other vehicles – where they are affected will give you a pre warning.
• Go slowly enough to cope with the tree that has fallen right across the road, just round the bend where you can’t see it.
• Be careful of debris, try and have space beside you in case you need to dodge it.

Rodger said: "If the weather is really bad, consider whether you could postpone your journey until it settles down."

www.iam.org.uk