Andrea Dovizioso has today been confirmed as Jorge Lorenzo’s partner in the Ducati MotoGP team after signing a new two-year deal with the factory.
The Romagna-born rider, who has been with Ducati since 2013, will remain with the squad and ride the Desmosedici GP bike until the end of 2018.
“I am very satisfied to have reached this agreement with Ducati and to be able to continue the adventure begun back with them in 2013. In the last few years we have worked with a lot of commitment and we have succeeded in taking the Desmosedici GP to an excellent competitive level, and so I am convinced that soon we will obtain the satisfaction that we deserve,” said Dovizioso.
It means Andrea Iannone is off to pastures new, more than likely replacing Maverick Vinales at Suzuki. The Abruzzo-born rider, after two years in the “factory-supported” Pramac Racing outfit, moved to the factory team in 2015, but has now been shown the door.
“Obviously I am sorry that my time with Ducati will draw to a close at the end of this season, but I am grateful to the Bologna manufacturer for the opportunity it has given me in the last few years. I made my MotoGP debut with Ducati and I have grown up with them, always succeeding in improving my level of performance. In the remaining races I will give my all, as I always do, because I am convinced that thanks to the competitiveness of the Desmosedici GP we can achieve some great results,” he said.