Sterilgarda Ducati rider Shane Byrne could well find himself with a new team-mate in the shape of Fonsi Nieto as sponsorship problems have ruled Alex Polita out of the first two rounds.
Polita's possible temporary exit from the team has been put down to some business sponsors not being able to deliver the goods and only taking one rider and bikes to the flyaway rounds makes financial sense.
“I feel really sorry about the situation that does not allow Alex Polita to enter the first two round of the season. Unfortunately the economic scenario has cut the assistance of several sponsors who were supposed to help the team for the 2009 season," said team boss Marco Borciani.
"I'm really sorry for Alex, who is a talented young rider with whom I hope to again be able to work with in the future. We will try to get everything ready for the third round of the championship with two riders on track."
However, it has been suggested that Polita's personal sponsors couldn't deliver as promised so it paves the way for another rider, with good personal sponsors, to step in.
Fonsi Nieto, who doesn't officially have a seat in WSB 2009, has the phone giant Pepephone as a sponsor and he could quite happily make up the shortfall in Sterilgarda's coffers.
