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Troy Bayliss to race Moto GP
Sept 17: World superbike champion Troy Bayliss will lead Ducati in the manufacturer`s Moto GP debut next year.
Sept 17: World superbike champion Troy Bayliss will lead Ducati in the manufacturer's Moto GP debut next year.
The Australian, who has been associated with Ducati since 1998, will be joined by former 250CC world champion Loris Capirossi. Bayliss will make his Grand Prix debut on the new four-stroke Desmosedici, which was unveiled at the Italian Grand Prix in May. "We strongly wanted Troy and Loris because both have shown themselves to be extremely talented riders and above all because they are totally committed to our project," said Ducati Corse chief executive Claudio Domenicali.
"The desire to win and to face new challenges that we see in both of them was the deciding factor in our decision.
"Thanks to their experience, we are certain that we will make our Moto GP debut with a top-level team and with the right motivation to develop the Desmosedici as quickly as possible."
Bayliss was the surprise replacement for Ducati's four-times world champion Carl Fogarty when the Briton was forced to retire after a crash in 2000.
But since then the 33-year-old has won 22 races and appeared on the podium 44 times, and he will defend his superbike title in a final round showdown with Colin Edwards at Imola on 29 September. Italian Capirossi, 29, has raced in Moto GP with Barcelona-based Pons Honda team for the last three seasons.
"I have spent three very happy and successful years with the West Honda Pons team and now I feel it is time to move on," Capirossi told the official Moto GP website.
"For sure I shall miss the team as it has been the best team I have ridden in during my career, but I am relishing the new challenge offered to me by Ducati.
"The prospect of being the number one rider with such a prestigious Italian constructor as Ducati is a great honour for any Italian rider."
Bureau Report
The Australian, who has been associated with Ducati since 1998, will be joined by former 250CC world champion Loris Capirossi. Bayliss will make his Grand Prix debut on the new four-stroke Desmosedici, which was unveiled at the Italian Grand Prix in May. "We strongly wanted Troy and Loris because both have shown themselves to be extremely talented riders and above all because they are totally committed to our project," said Ducati Corse chief executive Claudio Domenicali.
"The desire to win and to face new challenges that we see in both of them was the deciding factor in our decision.
"Thanks to their experience, we are certain that we will make our Moto GP debut with a top-level team and with the right motivation to develop the Desmosedici as quickly as possible."
Bayliss was the surprise replacement for Ducati's four-times world champion Carl Fogarty when the Briton was forced to retire after a crash in 2000.
But since then the 33-year-old has won 22 races and appeared on the podium 44 times, and he will defend his superbike title in a final round showdown with Colin Edwards at Imola on 29 September. Italian Capirossi, 29, has raced in Moto GP with Barcelona-based Pons Honda team for the last three seasons.
"I have spent three very happy and successful years with the West Honda Pons team and now I feel it is time to move on," Capirossi told the official Moto GP website.
"For sure I shall miss the team as it has been the best team I have ridden in during my career, but I am relishing the new challenge offered to me by Ducati.
"The prospect of being the number one rider with such a prestigious Italian constructor as Ducati is a great honour for any Italian rider."
Bureau Report