Uxbridge, UK, April 28, 2004 – Xerox Corporation has announced that it has become the main sponsor of World Superbike Championship Team Caracchi, which will be known as Team Xerox Ducati for the season 2004.

Team Xerox Ducati took to the track for the first time during round one of the Championship in Valencia, Spain on February 29. The team is being led by Team Principal and former rider Stefano Caracchi, who has recruited two hugely talented riders in the established figure of Australian Garry McCoy and the highly-rated newcomer Miguel Praia from Portugal. Team Xerox Ducati has made quick progress on the track, with Garry McCoy securing the team’s first victory of the 2004 season during race two in Phillip Island, Australia. Garry McCoy is currently lying in sixth position in the Riders Championship Standings with 55 points.

‘Xerox is an innovative and forward-thinking company. We believe there is distinct synergy between the way that Team Xerox Ducati uses technical expertise and innovation to deliver performance on the track, and the way that Xerox delivers this in the business environment,’ said Richard Wergan, head of marketing communications for Xerox Europe. ‘Being associated with an increasingly popular sport with global reach and values that are similar
to those of Xerox is hugely beneficial to the development of the brand.’

This season marks Xerox’s first move into Superbike sponsorship, which will see Team Xerox Ducati carrying the Xerox red livery. The relationship is initially under a one year contract with the option to extend.

‘The financial backing of Xerox will help our bikes to be even more competitive as we strive to build a team that can challenge for major success during the 2004 season,’ commented Stefano Caracchi, Team Xerox Ducati Team Principal.

The World Superbike Championship, which so far this season has visited Valencia, Spain, Phillip Island, Australia, and Misano, Italy culminates in the final race at Magny Cours, France on October 3. In total there are 11 rounds across a nine month period, with racing taking place in Australasia, Europe and North America.

Team Xerox Ducati will next be in action on May 16 for round four of the Championship in Monza, Italy.

For more details contact:

Jeremy Clark, MEC:Sponsorship, Tel: +44 (0)20 7803 2343; email:
Jeremy.Clark@mecsponsorship.com
Kevin Perlmutter, Xerox Europe, Tel: +44 (0)1895 845219; email:
Kevin.Perlmutter@gbr.xerox.com