Thread: **Its Official: Rossi to Ducati**

Ducati announces 2 year deal with Rossi

Ducati has finally confirmed that Valentino Rossi will join its line-up next season, the seven-time MotoGP world champion having signed a two-year deal with the Italian squad.

Rossi's move to Ducati has been regarded as near-certain by MotoGP insiders for several months, and this afternoon at Brno Yamaha issued a statement announcing that it was parting company with the Italian legend after seven years together - during which Rossi has won four world championships and 45 grands prix so far.

Rumours of a Rossi-Ducati deal first surfaced last autumn, when Rossi hinted that Yamaha would ultimately have to choose between him and Jorge Lorenzo as he did not believe it could sustain two equal number one riders. He indicated at the time that Ducati would be his alternative if he split with Yamaha, and a deal was believed to have been done during Rossi's injury layoff earlier this year.

Ducati president Gabriele Del Torchio was thrilled that Italy's motorcycle racing hero was finally joining the nation's top MotoGP team.

"We are delighted to announce that Valentino Rossi will be with us from 2011," he said. "He is a paragon of excellence in the world of motorcycling, coherent with our Italian company which is a standard-bearer for 'made in Italy' excellence. These are key values for success in technology, design and sportsmanship."

The company's sporting boss Filippo Preziosi was equally pleased - but added that Ducati would continue to race hard against Rossi for the remainder of 2010.

"Firstly, Valentino is a great fan of motorcycles and so it has always been a pleasure for me to listen his opinions," said Preziosi.

"Until the Valencia GP he will remain a competitor, one so great that he has always given a special value to our victories, but as soon as he rides the Ducati for the first time, we will work together on every single detail that will develop a bike capable of showing his huge talent.

"Working with Valentino is one of the most exciting things for every engineer and it's good to know we will have this great opportunity next season."

Nicky Hayden is expected to be retained as Rossi's team-mate, with Ducati's current lead rider Casey Stoner having already announced he will join Honda next year.

Props to ChopTop:

Rossi to Ducati

WOW. i thought it was all hype to be honest, but i guess everything changes after time!

Guess I have a reason to start watching MotoGP again

Yay! The value of my bikes just went up!




That is old news but Spies taking over Rossi's M1 is NEW news!

Next year should be an amazing year in Moto GP.

Stoner on the Honda, Rossi on the Duc, Spies on the Factory M1....But will anyone give Lorenzo a run???

I can't wait.

On a side note, anyone going to Indy this year? Myself and 3 friends are headed back, flying in Friday AM, should be there before practice. I think we're in Penthouse A again.

We're going to Broad Ripple Friday night for dinner and drinks, and then to St Elmos Steakhouse on Saturday night (already have reservations if anyone wants to join us, PM me.).

Can't wait for AGV to come up with new reasons for me to piss $ away on more lids I can't wear all at once....

and just when I thought a Tricolore 1098R or FIAT rep R1 were worth lusting after, can't see what my garage looks like a year from now...

SPIES is gonna take the 2011 championship..

Look how well he is doing on a privateer M1!

Originally Posted by wa_man

SPIES is gonna take the 2011 championship..

Look how well he is doing on a privateer M1!

He rides well, but there is not all that much difference between the factory and private M1 to warrant a championship.

Lorenzo will win this year, no doubt.

Next year? Pedrosa/Lorenzo, then Rossi, Stoner, and Spies. I just don't see Spies being a championship rider in GP. Unless he 'falls' into it like Nicky did in 2006.