WSB hit by credit crunch

The worldwide credit crunch has claimed it’s first high profile victim in World Superbikes following the announcement that the Sterilgarda Ducati team will only field one rider in the opening two rounds of the championship.

Sterilgarda run Britain’s Shane Byrne and Italian Alessandro Polita in their new look 2009 squad, but because of budget shortfall only Byrne will race in Phillip Island, Australia on 1st March and Losail, Qatar on 14th March.

2006 Superstock 1000 Champion, Polita rode for the Sterilgarda Ducati squad last season onboard the Ducati 1198R in the Superstock class.

The 24year old finish third overall in the standings and nearly won the title, which earned him a promotion to the WSB squad to replace the out going Ruben Xaus.

In an interview with MCN three weeks ago, Hannspree Ten Kate Honda team boss, Ronald Ten Kate predicted that this years championship would be effected by the current financial situation.

He stated that it was not a matter of if, but a matter of when teams would start pulling out. Sterilgarda Ducati are the first casualty.

Sterilgarda Ducati Team Manager, Marco Borciani said:

“I feel really sorry about the situation that does not allow Alex Polita to enter the first two round of the season.

“Unfortunately the economic scenario has cut the assistance of several sponsors who were supposed to help the team for the 2009 season. Alex is a talented young rider with whom I hope to again be able to work with in the future.

“We will try to get everything ready for the third round of the championship with two riders on track”.