Marco Simoncelli on Third Factory Ducati Next Year?
Rumors are circulating that deep pockets Ducati sponsor Phillip Morris wants to stump up the cash for a 3rd factory Marlboro Ducati Desmosedici for Italian Marco Simoncelli next season.
Marco has been targeted by Ducati in the past, first in 2009 when the young Italian decided to stay in 250s to defend his championship title and again in 2010 when of course he debuted in the premier class with Gresini Honda.
With the reality of the global economic crisis and the Japan specific events this year following the earthquake and tsunami, Honda is likely to cut back its number of factory machines from the current 4 (Simoncelli’s bike is a factory machine run in Gresini colors).
So the rumor has a credible basis in that the talented Italian will likely be looking for a ride if Gresini can’t raise the sponsorship necessary to provide a factory machine for 2012.
Still with the problems Ducati are having, the thought of adding a third rider would appear daunting. If they do, Ducati might want to start producing additional bodywork now given Marco’s propensity to kiss the tarmac on a regular basis.
Source: Visordown
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