Genesio Bevilacqua, the owner of Althea, ceramics industrialist, and motorcycle racing enthusiast, has decided to end the partnership he started last year with Midori Moriwaki, the Director of the company specializing in sport motorcycle that bears his family's name.
In the Superbike World Championship paddock, the split between MIE Honda and Althea Racing was not a big surprise. While MIE team boss Midori Moriwaki spoke of an amicable split, Althea boss, Genesio Bevilacqua, expressed it more radically: He drew a line under what he considered to be a disastrous collaboration.
According to Genesio Bevilacqua, “Although we have demonstrated the greatest commitment despite the difficulties linked to the period, we take note of the irremediable technical and contractual incompatibilities. »
“Althea Racing, in relation to its partners, its sponsors and its staff, cannot ignore the quality standards which have always distinguished its activity, and thanks to which sporting and image results have been obtained which have placed the team at the summit of international motorsport. »
This is how Althea Racing achieved its masterstroke by winning the Superbike World Championship in 2011 with the pilot Carlos Checa, on an official Ducati. The team continues its activities this year in the Italian CIV Championship, after having ceased all involvement in the world championship where its driver Lorenzo Gabellini has never managed to score a single point this year.
“For Althea and myself”, continued Genesio, “ always committed to strengthening the staff and young drivers lined up on the track, it is unthinkable to continue without the aforementioned conditions. »
“This is why, despite the passion that always makes our sporting heart beat, we must stop a project which, according to us, has no future. »
“I wish Midori Moriwaki good luck for the sporting and professional future. »
MIE Honda for its part continues in WSBK with Takumi Takahashi. For Midori Moriwaki, “We launched a joint project as part of the Superbike World Championship in 2019. It was a challenge for all of us. I was able to implement it with the help of Mr. Bevilacqua. »
“Since we worked together at the Moriwaki Junior Cup in 2008 in Italy, we have shared the same passion for motorsport. We have now decided to take different directions after a long friendship with Genesio Bevilacqua. But this friendship will never end. I appreciate his and Althea's support. »
Partnerships between Europe and Japan are common, such as that of Yoshimura with SERT, for example, of Honda France with FCC Honda, of Kawasaki with Provec for the KRT (Kawasaki Racing Team), and many others like Ten Kate with Yamaha, and Honda with Lucio Cecchinello in MotoGP.
One of the most important industrialists specializing in ceramics on the Peninsula, Genesio Bevilacqua, is a great enthusiast of motorcycle sport. He specially created a superb museum, “Moto dei Miti”, which includes all the motorcycles he has raced, with many magnificent specimens. It is possible to visit this museum electronically, in 360°.
Photos © Honda Racing, Moriwaki, Worldsbk.com, Althea
