Superbike: Ambitious projects for Kawasaki Puccetti Racing

On the occasion of the eighth round taking place at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli, Manuel Puccetti, team principal of Kawasaki Puccetti Racing, current reigning World Supersport Champion, told WorldSBK.com that there could be interesting plans for the leap into the queen category, in 2017.

Obviously all thoughts are still focused on the WorldSSP championship, where Kenan Sofuoglu, reigning champion, is the current leader and Randy Krummenacher is in second place in the world championship, demonstrating however that the DNA is already winning.

Another big news, if the transition materializes, would be the hiring of Marco Melandri, who would return to WorldSbk embracing a new and very ambitious project, but with the guarantee of having a giant like Kawasaki as a partner.

“Next month I will know if I can continue this project” – he explained Manuel Puccetti – “If we can put together a good package – like an official team – Marco Melandri will be happy to be with us.”
The main objective now is to materialize with Melandri in WorldSBK – with one rider,” continued the Italian. “If we are able to do it, it might be possible to have two bikes, but we want to keep our feet on the ground. Now we are focusing on one rider, we will see later if we can confirm it."

Puccetti already has several commitments in the paddock, in STK1000 and in WorldSSP with the two Turkish riders Toprak Razgatlioglu and Kenan Sofuoglu, plus the one with San Carlo Team Italia in the FIM Europe Supersport Cup, therefore keeping them all would be very difficult if it were to go through the WorldSBK project.

“We could continue to have the team in WorldSSP, but we would have to stop the collaboration with San Carlo Team Italia” – the team principal always said – “Now we have five riders, so if this new project is also added, we will have to decrease, perhaps we can find space for one of them in the WorldSSP team. For now we don't know, but in July we will have some news!”