Seven-time world MotoGP champion Valentino Rossi on Sunday signed a two-year deal to race with Ducati, the team announced.
Yamaha rider Rossi will replace Australia’s former world champion Casey Stoner, who earlier announced he will race for Honda next season after four years with the Italian team.
Rossi said he was looking to a new challenge after seven years with the Japanese manufacturer. Before that he spent four years with Honda.
“The time has come for me to find new challenges; my work with Yamaha is now finished,” he said.
“Sadly, even the most beautiful love stories come to an end, but they leave marvellous memories.”
Rossi, 31, finished fifth in Sunday’s Czech Grand Prix, but his chances of retaining his world title had already been compromised when he missed six weeks of the season after breaking his leg at Mugello.
“We are delighted to announce that Valentino Rossi will be with us from 2011,” said Ducati president Gabriele Del Torchio.
“He is a paragon of excellence in the world of motorcycling.”
Mega
Guest
Rossi would never have had that. Part of the reason he is leaving Yamaha is Jorge Lorenzo's growing profile and the fact he was going to get equal pay as Rossi. Rossi has the Schumacher syndrome of needing a weaker teammate to beat up on.
Brett McKay
Guest
It's a pity Stoner and Rossi couldn't have teamed up, but thems the breaks I guess..
Mega
Guest
Huge news. Was bound to happen though - an Italian great riding for an Italian bike.