Ducati News Today

After two impressive substitute rides on the Pramac Ducati MotoGP machine, former 125 and 250 rider Aleix Espargaro will ride fulltime for the satellite Ducati squad in 2010. With that seat tied up there will be no Italians racing for Ducati for the first time in the company’s MotoGP history.

Loris Capirossi, Marco Melandri and Nicolo Canepa have ensured an Italian has ridden for the quintessential Italian team since Ducati debuted in the premier four stroke racing class in 2003. Now with the confirmation of Esparago to add to the recent re-signing of Mika Kallio and Nicky Hayden not to mention the successful return of Casey Stoner, the 5 bike strong Ducati lineup for 2010 is now complete (Hector Barbera will ride the sole Aspar Martinez entry).

Espargo who was left without a ride this year when his 250 team withdrew from the series impressed many on his MotoGP debut, scoring 13th and 11th in his very first rides on the fearsome GP9 at Indianapolis and Misano.

“Life can change so quickly in just a few months!” admitted Espargaro, who took a best finish of fourth in 125 and 250. “At the beginning of this year I had to stay home as my 250cc team retired from the championship and now I have the opportunity to ride with the fastest riders in the world in MotoGP….The bike has impressed me so much for its power and its manageability. I have to thank the Pramac Racing Team, Paolo Campinoti and Ducati for this fantastic opportunity they are giving me,” he concluded.

“This year we have already obtained good results thanks to Mika Kallio performances and this is why the Finnish rider will remain with us next season. “This is and will be our mentality; in fact, from this point it has begun the idea to give the possibility to Aleix to ride for us in 2010. In Indianapolis he has demonstrated to be competitive since the first laps in both track conditions, dry and wet, and in Misano he confirmed his good feeling with this category. We really count on him; his attitude and devotion to this sport give us a lot of trust…”

link: Crash.net

The confirmation of Espargaro means that Canepa loses his ride despite a best finish of 8th and with that change he becomes the last Italian rider to race a MotoGP Ducati. Perhaps 2011 will see an Italian back on the blood red machines if the rumors surrounding Valentino Rossi’s ultimate move to Ducati prove correct!!

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