Two-time MotoGP World Champion and the Bologna factory part ways after three years of working together
Two-time MotoGP World Champion Casey Stoner and Ducati have agreed to end their work together after three years.
Stoner, who won a premier class World title with Ducati in 2007, re-joined Ducati in a testing and ‘brand ambassador’ role in 2016 and has since made a vital contribution to the development of the Desmosedici GP, seeing it turn into one of the most competitive bikes on the current MotoGP grid.
The collaboration between Ducati and Stoner also contributed to the final development of the Panigale V4, as well as offering important suggestions for the development of other bikes currently in the Ducati range. In his role as Ducati ‘brand ambassador’, Casey was one of the undisputed stars of the last two editions of WDW (World Ducati Week) in 2016 and 2018, in which the Australian champion actively took part, and where he was greeted with incredible signs of affection by Ducatisti from all over the world.
Ducati CEO Claudio Domenicali said: “Casey is and will always remain in the hearts of Ducatisti and it is also on their behalf that we wish to thank him for the important collaboration he has offered us over the last three years. His technical indications and suggestions, together with the work and the feedback of the factory riders and Michele Pirro, have helped to make the Desmosedici GP one of the most competitive bikes on the grid, and his advice for the development of our production bikes has been just as precious and useful. Ducati and its many fans wish to offer their sincere thanks and their best wishes to Casey and his family for a serene and happy future.”
Casey Stoner: “I want to thank Ducati for the great memories and especially the support and enthusiasm of the Ducati fans for our shared passion for racing and motorcycling, I’ll always remember this. Over the past three years I have really enjoyed doing my job with the test team, the engineers and technicians, as we worked towards improving the Desmosedici GP package and I sincerely want to wish the team all the very best for their future endeavours.”
By MotoGP
Stoner, French MotoGP 2017