Alstare Bimota's Christian Iddon has welcomed the news that the FIM has relaxed homologation rules relating to the World Superbike championship.

The Stockport lad was not on the starting grid at Phillip Island this weekend, because not enough of his Bimota BB3 EVO bikes were made by the Bimota company, in order for them to compete in the opening round.

But under the new regulations, the firm only now has to produce 125 of its BB3 models in order to take to the grid, with a further 125 in production at the end of the year. At the end of the second season one thousand bikes must be in the public domain.

Iddon is elated by the news, and hopes that it will benefit not just his team, but other smaller manufacturers who may think of competing in the World Superbike championship in the future, and says the move by the FIM is a positive one.

“It is absolutely brilliant for us, but not just for our Alstare team, but also other smaller manufacturers too. It is a rule that needed to be reviewed and it is great that the FIM have re-thought the homologation rules,” said Iddon, speaking to bikesportnews.com this evening.

“But it was heart wrenching for me to watch the races in Phillip Island, and it was not much fun, but it is a really positive move by the FIM, which is welcomed.

“Now the team can crack on with production and I can look forward to testing in Belgium in a few weeks time. I went to meet the team last week, and it was a dream come true. I still haven’t had chance to ride the bike yet, but it will be good to get some testing underway, so we can sort out all the niggly bits, which you always have to contend with on new motorbikes.

“To be on the starting grid at Aragon is certainly the plan. I think us being on the grid will make the championship stronger, but the future of the competition is looking really positive with the FIM considering smaller manufacturers, and I just cant wait to crack on with it, and start racing in the EVO class.”