Hot on the heels of the news that Althea would not be running Ducati's World Superbike effort in 2013 comes a rumour they will be replaced by the Alstare outfit.

Boss Francis Batta has been in talks with the Bologna outfit to take over from Genesio Bevilacqua's operation to run Carlos Checa on the new Panigale but he is not yet certain of a budget to run two riders.

"There is still much to discuss but I hope to find an agreement. I can not wait to return to Superbike and above all to do with the Ducati," said Batta, speaking to our friends at GPone.com.

He is eyeing Sylvain Guintoli as a rider but the Frenchman is in protracted talks with Aprilia to ride a satellite RSV4 and has also had discussions with a major British Superbike team.

"Sylvain is a fast guy that has proven to ride a Ducati. He is educated, speaks many languages ??and will make ??a perfect match with Checa. This will undoubtedly lead to the development of the bike. But first we have to find the budget to deploy two riders," Batta continued.