WSB set for Russian round of the championship in 2012

The World Superbike championship is set to break new ground in motorsport by having a Russian round of the series in 2012. While other race series such as F1 and MotoGP are concentrating on races in the Middle and Far East, WSB have chosen a different approach and are set to make a landmark move by racing in Russia next year.

Speaking at a packed press conference in Moscow, CEO of Infront Motor Sports Paolo Flammini said: “We are very satisfied with this agreement and we wish to thank Mr. Yakhnich for his warm welcome and for the truly professional work carried out by his team. Russia is one of the most important nations in the world, with a rapidly-growing economy. We think that the Superbike World Championship is the most suitable way to help develop the Russian motorcycle market, together with a plan that foresees the growth of young Russian riders on an international level in our four categories”.

In an agreement with Alexander Yakhnich, Yakhnich Motorsport will become the organiser of the Russian Round of the FIM Superbike World Championship, and also acquires the TV and Marketing rights for the Russian market. The declared intention is to bring World Superbike to Russia in 2012, and with this aim in mind negotiations are being held with a number of circuits currently in the process of applying for FIM homologation.

Alexander Yakhnich added: “We are honored to have reached this prestigious target. Thanks to the vital support of the Russian Government, specifically the Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Zhukov, Russian motorcycling is getting ready to play host to the Superbike World Championship and in this way help the growth of the sport in our country in the best possible way”.