Bimota Forum

[spidermaan]

ALSTARE AND BIMOTA TIE THE KNOT



The prestigious Italian motorcycle manufacturer Bimota and Alstare - both renowned for their engineering expertise and racing success - are happy to announce that they have agreed a long-term partnership of five years.
The partnership will see Alstare create a new Global Racing department for Bimota in their headquarters in Belgium. From there, they will provide technical support to all official Bimota teams worldwide, together with the supply of parts for track use.
Alstare will be responsible for Research and Development for Bimota and will work on improving Bimota’s Moto2 bikes as well as the Bimota BB3.
In addition, the R&D Department will work on developing Bimota’s new sports and supersport models.
Alstare communication agency’s vast knowledge, and ability to innovate will be dedicated to Bimota’s Racing Marketing and Communication strategy. They will also conduct market research on Bimota’s behalf, while taking care of all their campaigns and events. The new agency will actively promote Bimota and raise the famous marque to the high level it deserves.
Alstare aim to improve Bimota’s business network and increase the level of communication with importers and dealers worldwide. A global customer base will be established, an official online community will be created and all Bimota fan clubs will be fully supported.
About Bimota:
Bimota is an Italian manufacturer of exquisitely designed esoteric motorcycles. Production engines are used, together with high quality materials and components – many of which are produced in house. The company was founded in 1973, in Rimini, by Valerio Bianchi, Giuseppe Morri and Massimo Tamburini and celebrated its 40th anniversary last year.
It was also last year, in September, that Marco Chiancianesi and Daniele Longoni bought Bimota with the intention of rejuvenating this prestigious and famous marque. Thanks to their passion, determination and commitment, together with Alstare’s partnership, this process is already gathering pace.
About Alstare:
Alstare have been involved in motorcycle sport since 1982, when they provided hospitality for the FMI (Federazione Motociclistica Italiana) and later for Lucky Strike. After that, Alstare’s owner, Francis Batta, worked as Team Manager of Cagiva in GP500, before going on to become General Manager of the Superbike World Championship in the early 1990s. He formed his own team in 1996, taking one World Superbike, two World Supersport and three Superstock titles in the following years with Suzuki.
In addition to running a race team, Alstare successfully ran Corona Extra Europe, Asia and Africa’s communication strategy for nine years and was fully involved as a ‘brand builder’ – specialising in promotional events – for Diesel Jeans when it was created by Renzo Rosso.
Alstare’s headquarters, near Liège, in Belgium are situated in a totally revamped marmalade factory of the late 30’s which has been converted into a high-tech facility able and ready to cope with all the current and future needs of modern motorcycles and motorcycle sport.
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http://bcomebimota.blogspot.it/

[spidermaan]

The dream team





Alleur, Monday 13th January 2014

One spin-off of the newly formed long-term partnership between the legendary Bimota brand and Alstare – the most experienced team in World Superbikes - is the formation of Team BIMOTA ALSTARE RACING which will compete in the EVO class in this year’s World Superbike Championship on the formidable Bimota BB3. *
Engineer Acquaviva and his team at Bimota’s headquarters in Rimini have taken the bullet-proof BMW engine and married it to a beautifully designed chassis – designed and built in their own workshops - together with high level components in all areas. The result is a stunning looking bike, but one that hides a powerful beast within.
It will be Alstare’s job to develop this bike, with Bimota’s full co-operation, and turn it into a race winner and bring success on track to both companies.
The team will attack the EVO class with two riders – Italian Ayrton Badovini and Briton Christian Iddon. Ayrton is no stranger to Alstare, having ridden for them last year – in what proved to be a very challenging season. Now fully fit again, the Italian is comfortable with the team and ready to go to fight for glory right from the start.
Christian may well be new to the team, but there is a Bimota connection as his father rode a Bimota YB3 in the opening years of the championship. Christian comes from a successful background in motocross and supermoto and only switched to roadracing in 2008, but has begun to show his huge potential and is definitely one to watch for the future.

Ayrton Badovini
“The early part of this year is going to be a bit difficult because of our late start, but having said that, I’ve got such a good team backing me, I know we can do a nice job.
Although the BB3 is a new bike, I know the engine characteristics very well, from my two years with it in 2011 and 2012. It is a nice engine – fast, but very usable at all speeds. I don’t think we’re going to need to do a lot of work on the engine, which leaves us to concentrate of the rest of the package.
For me, this year is a lot about improving the bike and being ready for next year and in this respect I’m sure that we’ll do a good job. I’m really, really happy to be back with Alstare again and feel I am returning to a family I know well. The team is very professional. I learnt a lot from them last year and expect to learn more from them this year.
If things go well, and I see no reason they should not, my target is to develop the bike quickly and win the EVO title this year.”

Christian Iddon
“This is an amazing opportunity for me and I am very excited about the challenge ahead. Alstare is a famous team, with a big history and I am sure that I am going to learn a lot from them. They have loads of experience and that is going to help me, in what is going to be a very interesting season.
I have ridden a Superbike before, four rounds in the British Superbike Championship, but I know the new Bimota BB3 is going to be very different to what I am used to. Although we are starting from scratch, as long as we can find a good base setting we can progress quickly. I think many teams in this year’s championship are new and probably have not done much testing, so we’re going to be in the same boat as them. I don’t like to talk about targets, but I always set high goals for myself and this year will be no exception. I would like to think we’d be challenging the top guys in the EVO class well before the latter part of the season and I’d be disappointed if we weren’t.
I know I’ve got a great team behind me and I am looking forward to working with them and maybe surprising a few people.”


Ever since Alstare boss Francis Batta met Bimota’s new owners, Marco Chiancianesi and Daniele Longoni in EICMA last November, things started happening. The trio clicked straightaway and it wasn’t long before plans were being drawn up. The early plans were really not a lot to do with racing, but Bimota and Alstare’s success and history in World Superbikes was bound to lead to the formation of a race team.
Bimota have long been renowned for their esoteric and beautiful bikes. Ever since their creation, they have designed unique bikes, using hand-crafted components from their own workshops married to a variety of engines from different manufacturers. Ever since day one, their mission statement has all been about quality, regardless of cost and that still holds true to today. It seems therefore fitting that they have taken Alstare as a partner – as Alstare, in their own way, have also stood out from the rest of the field. They may not have always had the best bikes, but they have always been one of the most professional teams in the paddock and have supported the World Superbike Championship longer than any other team. This new partnership marries two greats of motorcycling and a long and illustrious future beckons - both on the road and on the track.
Francis Batta’s new contact with Giuliano Rovelli is already yielding fruit. The final decisions are about to be concluded, but ParkinGo will become a partner and one of the team’s sponsors. As part of the deal, the team will be promoted via ParkinGo in their airport buildings.

Francis Batta on the 2014 season
“I am very happy and excited about this long-term global project with Bimota – a famous and highly thought of brand. 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.
Ayrton was very unlucky with injuries last year and, realistically speaking, was never at 100%. Despite the difficulties we all faced, he managed a podium in very trying conditions and also took a superb Superpole in Germany – the first of his career.
I truly believe Ayrton’s potential is very high and I am sure that we’ll do things well together - not least because he fits the Alstare spirit perfectly.
I followed Christian’s progress in Supersport last year and know that the guy is a genuine talent, with an ability to go far. His manager, Giuliano Rovelli, and I spoke a lot during the holidays and we seemed to be on the same wavelength. I will be collaborating with Giuliano and ParkinGo at some level and will give further information once it has all been decided.”
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http://bcomebimota.blogspot.it/

[CNC]

Jep... I heard it last december...
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Bimota DB7, Bimota DB5 Mille, Ducati 916, Ducati M900, Benelli Tornado Tre

[SpikeC]

It first I thought this had something to do with Fred Astaire!
So is this a good thing for us regular riders?
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Spike C.
Portland, Oregon, USA
2008 Bimota DB5R
1965 Triumph T100SC

[djt77]

As far as I'm concerned anything that raised brand awareness is a good thing. I wish them every success and wondered how much behind the scenes BMW will have (if any) I'd like to think that with them officially pulling out of the series they would like to see Bimota do well using there engines

[2bims]

Likewise...anything that raises the brand awareness...or at least confirms to the UK and US that they still exist as a manufacturer of motorbikes (seeing as neither country has any dealers...)

Heres another post of the article elsewhere...

http://www.crash.net/wsbk/news/199426/1/bimota-announces-alstare-run-wsbk-evo-entry.html

[Evilchicken0]

Interesting, isn't WSB about to go to EVO style bikes for the main races in 2015 ?
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Don't read everything you believe

[stockcar]

yes combo of full SBK and EVO bikes in 2014 then all EVO in 2015 i believe

http://superbike-news.co.uk/Motorcycle-News/bimota-alstare-racing-wsbk-dream-team/

[brian]

"Bimota Alstare Racing" - BAR... one of my favourite words
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'99 DB4 #104, '96 SB6 #1165, '94 DB2 J #652, '99 DB4 #088, '08 VTX1800, '93 ZXR750R M1, '95 ZXR750, '95 ZXR750 Race Bike, '94 CBR400rr NC29 Race Bike, '94 CB250, '49 BSA C10 250, '61 BSA A10 650, '89 ZXR750, '91 Ducati 851

[brian]

It would be great to see Bimota in some racing headlines again. Hopefully it's a good partenership. Thumbs up from me
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'99 DB4 #104, '96 SB6 #1165, '94 DB2 J #652, '99 DB4 #088, '08 VTX1800, '93 ZXR750R M1, '95 ZXR750, '95 ZXR750 Race Bike, '94 CBR400rr NC29 Race Bike, '94 CB250, '49 BSA C10 250, '61 BSA A10 650, '89 ZXR750, '91 Ducati 851

[laminator]

I picked up an MV Agusta last year and started watching Christian Iddon on the F3 in supersport. The bike and rider worked there way up through the field. In the later part of the season they got a podium.

Hopefully the progress can continue on the Bimota.
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Bimotas, Yamaha FZR 2TK, Honda NC30, MV Agusta F3 800, Aprilia RS250

[CNC]

The homologation is not confirmed jet (Bimota is very low volume manufacturer):

http://www.sportrider.com/news/146_14010_alstare_bimota_await_wsbk_homologation/
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Bimota DB7, Bimota DB5 Mille, Ducati 916, Ducati M900, Benelli Tornado Tre

[2bims]

So...Bimota only need to make/sell 1,000 BB3's before the end of the year...and if at 25,000 GBP a-piece...at a guess...thats 25 Million squids worth before the end of the year...and the same again the following year...cant see Bimota or even Buell doing that...dont think Bimota production has ever reached those heady heights of 1,000 units in a year since they first came into eixistence....doesnt bode well...but I can see the reasoning behind the rules....Helps keep just the big boys in and small fry out....

[stockcar]

they have had dispensation before when they raced the TL1000 engined bike with Gobert.......as i understand it its a "promise' to achieve the 1000 bikes rather than anything in stone, look at the Foggy Petronas project

[stockcar]

http://www.crash.net/wsbk/news/199536/1/fim-issues-bimota-homologation-statement.html