More About Alstare Suzuki’s 2005 World Superbike Program

More About Alstare Suzuki’s 2005 World Superbike Program

© 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Categories:

From a press release issued by Team Suzuki:

ALSTARE SWITCH TO WSB IN 2005

Team Suzuki Press Office – December 11, 2004.

Team Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra is aiming for World Superbike Championship victory next year with two new riders and a brand new GSX-R1000 Suzuki.

After several seasons in World Supersport, the Francis Batta-managed squad has signed Australian Troy Corser and Japan’s Yukio Kagayama for their return to the prestigious class.

Corser, who set the fastest time during three days of testing at Valencia in Spain recently – on a 2003-model GSX-R1000 against the latest bikes – can’t wait to race the Alstare-prepared 2005 machine.

He said: “I am really looking forward to my new challenge with Team Alstare in 2005. For many years I have been impressed with their skilful set-up and structure, their professionalism and now I am working with them. I cannot wait to get my leg over the 2005 GSX-R1000 Suzuki. It is a fabulous looking machine and, as it is bound to be an improvement over the previous model, I am sure that I will be able to do the business with it. After all, the previous bike managed to win several AMA titles in America and also the British Superbike Championship, so we know it’s a great bike.

“I am very happy to have a couple of my old mechanics from 2000 and 2001 with me in the team and feel that we now have the complete package to win the title. I know the 2005 GSX-R1000 is an all-new bike and we will all have to get used to it, but I am not looking at 2005 as a learning year with the bike – I am looking to take the title!

“After the past couple of years, it’s hard for me to explain how fired up I am about 2005 and the prospects ahead. I know I have the ability to win and, with the tremendous support of Francis Batta and the whole Alstare team, I expect to be holding the trophy at the end of the year.”

Kagayama, who raced his Rizla GSX-R1000 Suzuki into third place in this season’s British Superbike Championship, is also excited about his new challenge.

He said: “I am very happy to be competing in the World Superbike Championship, which is the most prestigious race series for production bikes. Above all, I feel very happy and lucky to be in Team Alstare led by Mr Francis Batta. His team is very professional, full of experience and is always one of the strongest teams in the paddock. I am looking forward to working with them and feel sure that my previous experience will be to the team’s advantage.

“I am very excited about riding the 2005 Suzuki GSX-R1000. The GSX-R1000 has always been a highly competitive bike as proved in the winning of numerous titles in the USA and British Superbike Championships. I believe that the all-new 2005 GSX-R1000 will be more competitive than the previous bike and, with it, I feel sure I can fulfil the expectations of Team Alstare and all the fans who support me.

“My team-mate Troy-San won the World Superbike Championship in 1996 and he is a great rider and fierce competitor. I will do my best to match his ability, but my goal is to beat him and bring the world title to Alstare!”

Francis Batta, who will run the team with support from Suzuki’s European distributor, Suzuki International Europe, said: “All of us at Alstare are delighted to be back in the World Superbike Championship and there is a real buzz of excitement about our prospects next year.

“We are all very happy to have former World Superbike Champion Troy Corser riding for us and his wealth of experience is going to be a tremendous asset to the team.

“Yukio Kagayama is new to us, but we have heard many good things about him so we are looking forward to starting our relationship. He is a character and much liked by the fans and I think he and Troy are going to be a great combination. Yukio will have to learn most of the circuits, but I am sure he is going to push hard right from the start.

“The new GSX-R1000 Suzuki has only been seen in a couple of bike shows but it has already caused a great deal of interest worldwide. The previous bike was good enough to win both the British and American Superbike Championships this year and the new bike promises to be even better.

“We at Alstare are doing all the work on the GSX-R1000 ourselves and we have taken on extra staff to make sure our bike will be in the best possible shape and condition for Troy and Yukio. Now we are waiting for the Championship to begin and the winning to start!”

Latest Posts

California Roadrace Association: Prince Wins At Buttonwillow

Prince Takes Dominant Win In California Roadrace Association Gold...

More About The Laguna Seca Noise Lawsuit Settlement

Details of the settlement in the lawsuit brought by...

Classic Track Day Cancels March 30 Event At Willow Springs

Yesterday's weather forecast seemed promising with a high temp...

Video: Canadian Superbike Champ Ben Young Visits “Gas On Bike Up” Podcast

This in-depth interview was shot with multi time Canadian...

Pirelli Named Series Partner For 2024 FIM Mini Cup USA Series

Pirelli Named Series Partner for 2024 FIM Mini Cup...