As revealed by www.bikesportnews.com about six weeks ago, Alice Ducati have confirmed they will run Ducati test rider Nico Canepa and KTM 250 rider Mika Kallio in MotoGP next season.

The team's existing riders Toni Elias and Sylvain Guintoli are off to Gresini Honda and Rizla Suzuki in British Superbikes respectively.

Kallio has taken three victories and is currently third in the championship. Before stepping on a 250cc bike, the Finnish rider rode a KTM 125cc bike from 2003 to 2006 and claimed 27 podiums, including 7 victories, finishing second in the championship in 2005 and 2006.

Italian Canepa won the FIM Superstock 1000 World Cup on the new Ducati 1098. He demonstrated his riding qualities and by also developing the 1098R Superbike version, having convinced also Ducati Corse to let him become the test rider for the Ducati Bridgestone test squad on the Desmosedici GP8.

They will have the Ducati Desmosedici GP9 satellite bvikes with carbon chassis for 2009.

Team boss Paolo Campinoti said: "“We are very happy to have two very promising riders in Kallio and Canepa. Mika is doing really well in 250 and we are confident that he will be able to continue his positive trend in the top class.

"Niccolò has shown his abilities on the Ducati Desmosedici during this seasons tests and this has convinced Ducati and us to let him step up into MotoGP. Together with Ducati we have agreed to create a sort of “Junior Team”. A part of me is sad that we are not able to continue with our current riders, Toni Elias and Sylvain Guintoli, because they have done a lot for the Alice Team during this season.

I want to publically thank them for their work and for bringing us to date, two unforgettable podiums. I wish them a future rich in success and happiness.”