Pramac Ducati MotoGP rookie Nico Canepa has been forced to switch to the Onde2000 team alongside veteran Sete Gibernau after his team lost its title sponsor, Alice, leaving them with no option but to run with just Mika Kallio for 2009.
Talented youngster Canepa has been Ducati's test rider in both the MotoGP and World Superbike squads, and was easily fastest in the Indianapolis tyre tests in the middle of last season.
Money is not a problem for the Onde2000 team, or Grupo Francisco Hernando as it is sometimes referred, as the squad has the full backing of property tycoon Hernando who wanted to field a two-bike team in the first place.
It is believed they wanted to run Spaniard Fonsi Nieto on a second Ducati, but pressure from the factory forced them into taking Canepa. Rumours suggest they could field a third bike with WSB reject Nieto on board.
