Editor

Two Italian teams, both with the intention of taking part in the 2012 Supersport World Championship season, have decided to merge their efforts and create a single project. Out of this union comes the Bike Service by WTR Ten 10 Yamaha team, which will have Italian Massimo Roccoli as its leading rider. For the man from Rimini, it's a return to the squad managed by Stefano Morri, who gave the 17-year-old his early break in 2001 in the Aprilia Challenge.


"Finally I've reached an agreement to race in World Supersport again" declared Roccoli. "It's been tough, but I managed to remain optimistic down to the end. I felt that it was going to work out, even though everything came together right at the end. I'd like to thank Bike Service and WTR Ten 10 for giving me this chance, for me it's a sort of return home."


No secret was made of WTR Ten 10's interest in Roccoli, and at the same time negotiations were being held between Bike Service and the Italian rider. However a series of unexpected technical difficulties encountered by WTR Ten 10 in carrying forward their World Supersport project led to the Modena-based outfit teaming up with Bike Service, who did a good job last year with youngster Roberto Tamburini (Yamaha YZF-R6), thus achieving their aim of taking part in the championship. Under these conditions, the choice of Roccoli was a logical and natural one.


"I had been talking both with Bike Service and WTR for some time (while they were separate outfits), then in the end they decided to join forces so here I am!" added Roccoli.


Following a difficult season with the Lorenzini Kawasaki team, Roccoli is ready for this new challenge and he aims to give his best on the track. "You always start off the season aiming high, last year in the early stages we struggled because of a lack of winter testing, but also because we reached an agreement late on. Then some bad luck during the season cost me a chance of getting good results."



Source: World Superbike

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