After going it essentially alone for the 2011 World Superbike Championship, the Alstare Suzuki team is weighing its options for 2012, as actual factory support from Suzuki for the “factory Suzuki” squad is again seeming unlikely. Releasing a “read between the lines” press release this week, Alstare has publicly put Suzuki Japan on notice over the fact that the Japanese manufacturer is expected not be developing the Suzuki GSX-R1000 further for WSBK, and will not fund Alstare’s own R&D efforts to remain competitive in the premier production-class.
As such, Alstare has been linked to other manufacturers, both in World Superbike and World Supersport, as the team is known to be one of the better run and organized squads in the WSBK paddock. Plagued with essentially running last year’s machinery with updates developed in-house, Alstare has made a lot of progress with the hand they’ve been dealt, though to run at the top of the pack would require more assistance from Suzuki.
With the Japanese company still reeling from the worldwide recession, support from Suzuki seems unlikely, though Alstare says the company is expected to make its official announcement by the Magny-Cours round this weekend. Read the full text of Team Alstare’s press release after the jump.
Press Release from Team Alstare Suzuki:
At the moment, Suzuki Japan has not made their final decision regarding the 2012 World Superbike Championship. Currently, Suzuki Japan are able to offer Alstare the current bikes and spares, but are not in a position to provide funds for research and development. Furthermore any parts that Suzuki produce in 2012 would have to be purchased.
Alstare understand that Suzuki Japan are not in discussions with any other team regarding the 2012 World Superbike Championship, save for perhaps Paul Denning in UK, should Alstare not be involved with Suzuki in 2012.
A final decision by Suzuki is promised after the Magny-Cours round and Alstare hope to be able to make an official statement then.
Currently Alstare are in negotiations with prospective sponsors regarding 2012 and will be happy to communicate information when it is available.
In the meantime, Francis Batta prefers not to conduct any interviews until such time when he will be able to give out a full and proper statement.
Source: Team Alstare Suzuki; Photo: Jensen Beeler / Asphalt & Rubber – Creative Commons – Attribution 3.0
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