Stoner leaves Ducati for Honda
2010-07-13 13:45
Following endless speculation Ducati Corse has confirmed that its number 2 rider, Casey Stoner, will be leaving the team at the end of the 2010, four years after he first signed with them.
Moments after Ducati’s announcement Honda revealed the Australian, who rode for the Honda LCR Team in his 2006 debut MotoGP season, has committed to HRC for 2011. Stoner’s last race for Team Ducati will be at Valencia on 7 November 2010.
“I would like to thank Casey on behalf of our fans and our sponsors, but most of all on behalf of all the people working at Ducati,” said Filippo Preziosi, Ducati Corse General Director.
“The victories and emotions he gave us, rewarded all the hard work and sacrifice we made. In these four years together we have had a lot of great moments. Securing the 2007 MotoGP World Championship title and the victory at Mugello in 2009 were moments that we will never forget.
In Casey we not only found an incredibly talented rider, but also an honest and loyal guy and that’s why there will always be a strong and sincere bond between us, even as a competitor.”
And from HCR Vice President Shuhei Nakamoto at Stoner’s future team: “We are very pleased that Casey will join Honda again next year. Clearly he is one of the top riders in MotoGP and he will bring valuable speed and experience to our team.
“In the factory Honda squad we already have two very strong and experienced riders in Dani Pedrosa and Andrea Dovizioso who are performing very well and currently hold second and third positions in the 2010 World Championship. HRC hopes also to retain these two riders for next year - giving us what would be a truly formidable line-up.”
Will Stoner be able to shine again at Honda like he did when he first joined Ducati in 2007?
