Updated: Bimota unveils WSBK assault

Bimota is the latest manufacturer to join the Superbike World Championship, and will contest the 2014 title with a two-rider factory team.

To be officially known as Bimota Alstare Racing, the two riders will be Briton Christian Iddon and Italian Ayrton Badovini, and they will campaign the BMW-powered BB3 (pictured) in the all-new EVO sub class – which will then become the standard WSBK rules in 2015. Iddon has a Bimota connection – his father Paul rode a YB3 in the opening years of the world superbike title.

The announcement comes just a day after a global racing partnership was announced between Bimota – which fell under Swiss ownership in 2013 – and Alstare, the famous Belgian tuning house.

“I am very happy and excited about this long-term global project with Bimota – a famous and highly thought of brand,” said Alstare principal Francis Batta.

“It all started at the EICMA last November, when I met the new owners Marco Chiancianesi and Daniele Longoni and immediately got on well with them. After that first meeting, I had a really good feeling about our prospects together.

“We knew our companies would complement each other in every way and such a symbiosis would be of enormous benefit all round. We both have enjoyed success in racing and putting our expertise together will be like a marriage made in heaven.

“The BB3, designed by Engineer Acquaviva and his team in Rimini, is a fantastic bike and full of potential. We at Alstare are excited to help develop it, get it on the track and unleash the beast within.”

The next step for Bimota is meeting homologation requirements to compete in the 2014 championship, which isn’t always a straightforward proposition for smaller, boutique marques. The rule book states that a manufacturer must have produced at least 125 motorcycles prior to the homologation inspection, followed up by:

•    The manufacturer must produce 500 units by June 30 (2014).
•    The "minimum quantity" of 1000 units must be reached by December 31 (2014).
•    A minimum quantity of 2000 units must be produced by December 31, 2015.

The FIM has also released a statement on the matter: "The FIM welcomes new motorcycle manufacturers wishing to participate in one or more FIM world championships. With reference to the Superbike World Championship, there are rules and requirements which have to be observed and fulfilled. As a result, the required minimum quantity of produced units necessary to obtain homologation are reviewed periodically to run parallel to the motorcycle market.

“As an illustration, the FIM and the Superbike Commission have in the past adjusted the minimum quantities of motorcycles to be produced to participate due to the worldwide economic market situation. Such a change was adopted in 2009. Another change was made due to the market situation in 2012 when the market situation for motorcycles in the sport section was of great concern. We have started discussions within the Superbike Commission to modify these numbers. An official announcement will be made by the end of January."

Tickets for the 2014 Phillip Island world superbike opener from February 21-23 are on sale now at www.worldsbk.com.au or call the hotline on 1300 728 007. Kids under 15 are free; while an adult can pick up a three-day general admission ticket today for $99, purchased in advance and save $51 on gate prices.