Polita to BSB with new Ducati 1199 Panigale

Hot on the heels of Anthony West's confirmed BSB ride, it has been announced that Alessandro Polita will race the new Ducati 1199 Panigale alongside Tom Tunstall for the freshly-amalgamated Jentin Doodson Motorsport team.

27-year-old Polita is a former Italian Superbike and FIM Superstock 1000 Cup champion, who has also raced in World Superbike and World Supersport.

Polita, who won the Superstock title in 2006, returned to the Italian Superbike Championship in 2010, claiming the title with seven podiums from seven rounds.

He missed out on defending his title by just four points last season, which included wild-card WSBK appearances at Misano and Imola.

"I'm thrilled about joining the Jentin Doodson Motorsport team and face the new challenge of racing in BSB," said Polita, nicknamed 'Il Pirata' (The Pirate).

"I've always been interested in BSB and I dreamt of racing in the championship. It'll be an exciting season, full of challenges on lots of new tracks and against really competitive riders.

"I have to thank my manager Bruno Ponti and Ernesto Marinelli of Ducati and also Barni and my sponsors who have supported me over the past two seasons."

Team co-owner and rider Tom Tunstall is also looking forward to the new challenge.

"I'm delighted with the partnership between Bernie and our Doodson Motorsport team," he said. "We have very similar attitudes and share common goals. With factory built Panigales, plus backing from Ducati and John Hackett we have built strong foundations for 2012 and the future.

"It's a fantastic opportunity and sharing the management with Bernie will also help me to focus on my riding, which wasn't easy when I was running my own team."

Joint team owner Bernie Toleman added: "Both Tom and myself have put in a tremendous amount of effort to bring our teams together but it has been worthwhile.

"The all new Ducati Panigale clearly shows tremendous promise and the fact that we have been able to form a technical partnership with JHP provides a massive boost.

"We are justifiably proud that Ducati Corse have helped with the rider selection and we have been able to bring Alex Polita to BSB on a Ducati.

"Our intention is to provide both Alex and Tom with all the resources at our disposal to make this season in BSB successful."