Chaz replaced by Battaini.
After several months of uncertainty, caused by a chronic lack of team funding, British 250GP rider Chaz Davies has been replaced by former MotoGP rider Franco Battani at Mugello.
250cc veteran Battaini rode for WCM in the premier-class last season, then switched to the World Superbike championship for 2006 on a Bertocchi Kawasaki - but recently lost his seat to Australian Josh Brookes after a disappointing start to the year.
After several months of uncertainty, caused by a chronic lack of team funding, British 250GP rider Chaz Davies has been replaced by former MotoGP rider Franco Battani at Mugello.
250cc veteran Battaini rode for WCM in the premier-class last season, then switched to the World Superbike championship for 2006 on a Bertocchi Kawasaki - but recently lost his seat to Australian Josh Brookes after a disappointing start to the year.
After several seasons spent on privateer machinery, 19-year-old Davies looked set to secure a semi-factory Aprilia for 2006 - but his hopes of finally obtaining competitive machinery were dashed when the Campetella team's title sponsor failed to deliver the money promised.
Chaz was thus left to start the year on a privateer machine, while the team increasingly made clear that they would sign a paying rider to take his place if one became available, even though a signed contract for the full season appeared in place.
Davies, who made his world championship debut at just 15, is the youngest person ever to score points in the 250cc World Championship.
33-year-old Italian Battaini knows the Campetella team well after riding for them previously in 250cc.
Peter has been in the paddock for 20 years and has seen Valentino Rossi come and go. He is at the forefront of the Suzuki exit story and Marc Marquez’s injury issues.
