Polita joins Jentin Doodson Ducati in BSB

The newly-amalgamated Jentin Doodson Motorsport team have today (Friday) confirmed their return to MCE BSB, switching to Italian machinery as they campaign the exotic new Ducati Panigale with former Italian Superbike and FIM Superstock 1000 Cup multiple champion Alex Polita who makes his debut alongside Tom Tunstall.

Polita prepares to add success in the UK to his Italian and World class titles. He has already secured national championship victories including the 2005 Italian Superstock Championship, where he claimed five podium finishes from six rounds before progressing to the FIM Superstock 1000 Cup Championship.

Polita again made his mark in the Superstock class at world level with an impressive eight podium finishes including three race wins, from ten rounds to claim the Championship in 2006, whilst simultaneously competing in the Italian Superbike Championship where he finished runner-up

 He then continued his podium-scoring form in the FIM Superstock 1000 Cup class into 2008 to score an impressive 17 top three finishes in just four seasons.

The determined Polita returned to the Italian Superbike Championship in 2010 after missing out on the title previously, which he won in dominating form with seven podium finishes from seven rounds.

He then defended his Championship crown last season, but narrowly missed out on securing a second consecutive title by just four points despite finishing on the podium at every round, with race wins including the final round at Mugello.  

His 2011 season also included two WSB wildcard races at Misano and Imola where he earned points-scoring finishes.   

Polita, nicknamed ‘Il Pirata’ (The Pirate), said: “I’m thrilled about joining the Jentin Doodson Motorsport team and face the new challenge of racing in BSB. I’ve always been interested in BSB and I dreamt of racing in the championship.

“It’ll be an exciting season, full of challenges on lots of new tracks and against really competitive riders. I have to thank my manager Bruno Ponti and Ernesto Marinelli of Ducati and also Barni and my sponsors who have supported me over the past two seasons.”

Team co-owner and rider Tunstall returns to MCE BSB alongside Polita and is looking forward to the new challenge: “I’m delighted with the partnership between Bernie and our Doodson Motorsport team.

“We have very similar attitudes and share common goals. With factory built Panigales, plus backing from Ducati and John Hackett we have built strong foundations for 2012 and the future.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity and sharing the management with Bernie will also help me to focus on my riding, which wasn’t easy when I was running my own team.”

Joint team owner Bernie Toleman said: “It certainly promises to be an exciting season ahead for us. Both Tom and myself have put in a tremendous amount of effort to bring our teams together but it has been worthwhile.

“The all new Ducati Panigale clearly shows tremendous promise and the fact that we have been able to form a technical partnership with JHP provides a massive boost.

“We are justifiably proud that Ducati Corse have helped with the rider selection and we have been able to bring Alex Polita to BSB on a Ducati. Our intention is to provide both Alex and Tom with all the resources at our disposal to make this season in BSB successful.”