Ducati and Valentino Rossi have signed a two year agreement for the nine-times World Champion to race with the “Rossa” of Borgo Panigale in the Ducati Marlboro Team from 2011.
The arrival of Valentino in Ducati opens a new and exciting chapter in the Italian factory’s sporting history and, indeed, of the whole MotoGP Championship. The opportunity of lining-up such an extraordinary rider and character is considered by Ducati to be a huge value to the whole Ducati MotoGP project.
“We are delighted to announce that Valentino Rossi will be with us from 2011,” commented Gabriele Del Torchio, President of Ducati Motor Holding. “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. In addition to the strong and passionate intent of both parties, this agreement has been made possible by the committed support of our shareholder Investindustrial and all the sponsors associated with the Ducati Marlboro Team, sponsors which have believed in this opportunity and share and support our choices.”
“Firstly, Valentino is a great fan of motorcycles and so it has always been a pleasure for me to listen his opinions,” said Filippo Preziosi, Ducati Corse General Director.
“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.”
Rossi has been with Yamaha for seven years, a successful period that saw him win four world championships and 45 grands prix. At Ducati, he will replace Casey Stoner who will go to Honda next year. Ducati’s other rider is American Nicky Hayden.
Quick Rossi facts
1979: Born February 16 in Urbino, Italy.
1992: Becomes regional champion in 1992 on minimotos.
1994: Claims the Italian Sport Production Championship.
1995: Wins the Italian 125cc Championship in 1995. Also claims third place in the 125cc European Championship.
1996: Secures a ride in the 125cc World Championship.
August – Wins his first World Championship race in Brno, Czech Republic, on his way to finishing the season in ninth place.
1997: Dominates the 125cc World Championship, winning 11 out of 15 races to become the youngest ever champion.
1998: Moves into the 250cc class, taking second place in his first year.
1999: Wins the 250cc World Championship, picking up nine victories en route.
2000: Joins forces with Honda in the 500cc class and finishes second in his first season.
2001: Becomes the last ever rider to win the 500cc World Championship before the inception of the MotoGP class.
August – Teams with American Colin Edwards to win the Suzuka eight-hours endurance race.
2002: Rossi wins the first race of the inaugural MotoGP series and goes on to win the title having taken a total of 11 victories.
2003: Retains his MotoGP title – his third world crown in a row.
2004: Rossi makes the move from Honda to Yamaha.
April – Wins the opening race of the year in South Africa, and in doing so becomes the first rider to win consecutive races with different manufacturers.
October – Clinches fourth consecutive premier class championship – and sixth world title overall.
2005: Dominates the season, recording yet another MotoGP championship victory while only finishing off the podium on one occasion.
2006: Rossi finishes second in the riders’ standings, losing out on the title to Honda’s Nicky Hayden by five points following a final-race showdown in Valencia.
2007: Finishes the season in third place, his lowest ranking since his rookie year in 1996.
2008: Returns to winning ways in fine style, claiming nine race wins on his way to recapturing the MotoGP title.
2009: Wins six races – including his 100th world championship triumph – on the way to clinching his ninth Championship title.
2010: June 5 – At his home grand prix at Mugello, Rossi crashes heavily in the second free practice session and suffers a compound fracture of his right tibia.
Forecasts indicate the Italian could be sidelined for between three and six months.
June 7 – Rossi undergoes a second operation on his leg to close the wound.
June 10 – The 31-year-old is released from hospital in Florence and is flown to a facility nearer his home to continue his recovery.
June 26 – Rossi reveals that his recovery is progressing better than had been expected.
July 7 – Rossi tests a Yamaha superbike at the Misano circuit in Italy, just 32 days after his accident.
July 12 – Rossi again tests a superbike, this time at Brno. A team statement says that this outing will determine whether he is fit to race at the next round at the Sachsenring.
July 14 – Rossi is given the all-clear by his doctors and confirms his intention to contest the German Grand Prix pending further tests from MotoGP medical chiefs.
July 15: Rossi is cleared to return to MotoGP racing just 40 days after his accident.
July 18: Finishes fourth on his return at the German Grand Prix, just missing out on a podium after a fierce battle with Casey Stoner.
August 4: Despite intense media speculation Ducati deny that Rossi has signed a deal to race with them from 2011.
August 15: Rossi’s switch to Ducati on a two-year contract from 2011 is confirmed.
