The Pata Racing Team, which will take part in the 2012 Superbike World Championship with Lorenzo Zanetti, was given its launch at the Motor Bike Expo show in Verona, Italy over the weekend. The team was represented by Marco Gobbi, Sporting Director and Pata Snack company owner.

The event, which was followed by the Expo visitors as well as guests and media, reached its high point when Lorenzo Zanetti unveiled the newly Pata-liveried Ducati 1198 with which he will be making his debut in World Superbike this year. Also on hand for the launch was Ducati Corse engineer Ernesto Marinelli, who joined the rest of the team on the stage.

Team manager Andrea Prando declared: "This presentation has been a great success and I'd like to thank everyone who has taken part. Our bikes are now ready and in a few days time they will be sent to Australia for the first round of the Superbike World Championship."

His words were echoed by rookie rider Zanetti, who this year will have the unenviable task of taking over from Noriyuki Haga in the Pata team. "It's important to know that there are people around who believe in me and I'd like to thank Pata for this great opportunity. I am aware that it's going to be a tough challenge and that I'll have to give my all and do what I do well, that is go fast on a bike: the years of experience of my new team will for sure help me in my job."