Francis and Patricia Batta first discovered world championship motorcycle racing in 1982. They started by providing the hospitality for the Kevin Schwantz Lucky Strike Suzuki squad and loved the experience so much that they then went on to work with several other teams. After a brief foray in powerboat racing in the early 90s, Francis Batta’s career took a decisive turn when he became General Manager of the Superbike World Championship, one of the world’s most exciting and spectacular forms of motor sport. This adventure reinforced Francis and Patricia’s desire to create their own team and in 1992, their stunning brainchild, Alstare Racing, was born.

Following a successful three-year collaboration with Ducati, Alstare decided to take its ambitions to a higher level by teaming up with Japanese manufacturer Suzuki. Today, while Francis liaises with Japan and manages the racing side of things, Patricia is busy organising the corporate image of the team.

Team Alstare Suzuki’s headquarters are situated in Alleur near Liege, in Eastern Belgium - ideally located in the heart of Europe. Currently Team Alstare’s main area of focus is the Superbike World Championship, but it has been a regular competitor in the European Superstock 1000 Championship and it was also the organiser of the GSX-R European Cup, a one-make championship aimed at discovering the champions of tomorrow.

In a totally revamped former marmalade factory, where technical expertise meets sheer motivation to create pure excitement and world-class entertainment, Alstare builds and prepares Suzuki race bikes with one sole objective in mind: victory. Having won 8 world titles since the team was created, it can be said that this philosophy has paid off. Even after all these years, Team Alstare still has an unquenchable thirst for victory.

Within Team Alstare's crew, technical skills and professionalism perfectly match creativity and ambition. This explosive mix culminated in Troy Corser’s Superbike World Championship title at the end of the 2005 season.

Although Francis Batta’s squad has been unable to regain the world title since then, its harvest of podiums and wins continues to increase year by year.

In 2007 Alstare brought 4 times Moto Gp 250 World Champion and Italian star Max Biaggi into WSBK. Max battled for the world title until the very last race of the year but, in the end, he failed by the narrowest of margins. At the end of the year he left the team, as did Alstare’s historic sponsor : Mexican beer Corona Extra.

2008 was not an easy crossroads for the Belgian squad, after a decade of association with Corona Extra, but throughout the year Alstare's strength and determination were shown by several outstanding performances by its riders Fonsi Nieto and German champion Max Neukirchner.

In 2009, Team Alstare Suzuki started with an ideal combination of experience (Yukio Kagayama) and youth (Max Neukirchner), but the season was marred by a number of crashes by both riders, including a possible career-threatening one by Neukirchner. The young German was unable to complete the season as a result and concerns about his long-term health prompted Francis to think about 2010 with a completely fresh mind.

2010 saw a new decade and an all-new line-up for Alstare Suzuki. In came gutsy young Briton Leon Haslam and former GP rider Frenchman Sylvain Guintoli. Leon’s performances in Alstare’s winter tests showed he was a force to be reckoned with. He began the season in scintillating form, by winning on his debut and then taking a staggering nine podiums in the first twelve races. A heavy crash in USA dented his progress, but he battled throughout the rest of the season, finishing a superb runner-up in the championship to former Alstare rider Max Biaggi.
Sylvain Guintoli started the year well, had a bit of a dip in the middle, before ending strongly to finish a creditable seventh in arguably the toughest season for many years.

2011 is going to be a challenging year for the team, but Alstare are looking forward to the new season and will be approaching it with their usual enthusiasm and professionalism. Italian (and former Alstare rider) Michel Fabrizio will be Alstare’s sole representative in what promises to be yet another hard fought season. With many of their competitors increasing their effort and presence in 2011, Alstare know that they will have to work harder than ever to remain competitive, but the team have never shirked a challenge before and are not staying around just to make up the numbers. It is difficult to predict Alstare's prospects next year, but one thing is sure, they will continue to be a force on the track and a presence in the paddock.