Ducati have this afternoon confirmed that Ben Spies will join Moto2 star Andrea Iannone in a Pramac-run sateliite team in 2013.

Rumour has been flying around the paddock for a couple of weeks that Spies would remain in the premier class and had reached an agreement with Bologna. Pramac will run the squad but it will have factory bikes. This leaves Britain's Scott Redding with one last route into MotoGP - the remaining leasable RC213V which Jonathan Rea, among others, is also in the frame for.

The official statement reads:

Ducati announces that it has signed an agreement with American Ben Spies and Italian Andrea Iannone to compete in the 2013 MotoGP World Championship.

Having already confirmed Nicky Hayden and announced Andrea Dovizioso for the Ducati Team, the Italian manufacturer now reaffirms its confidence in and commitment to the MotoGP World Championship, finalizing its lineup for next season with two riders who are fast and competitive, already protagonists in the MotoGP and Moto2 World Championships.

Click here to book a MotoGP holiday

At the same time, the partnership has been renewed between Ducati and Pramac Racing, which will continue to be entrusted with management of the satellite team. The two riders, who have a direct link with the company, will be supplied with official equipment.

This agreement will enable additional important support in the development of the Desmosedici MotoGP project, offering a further opportunity in the process of improving the performance of the Italian bike.