Loris Capirossi no.1 @ Ducati for next 2 years

asha · 17 Sep 2002, 02:04 (Ref:382061)

Loris Capirossi has officially announced that he will quit the West Honda Pons team at the end of the current season and ride for the new Ducati MotoGP effort. The 29 year has signed a two year contract with the Italian manufacturer, who unveiled their four stroke Desmosedici machine to a packed press conference at the Gran Premio Marlboro d´Italia in May, and will begin testing alongside new team-mate Troy Bayliss at the end of the 2002 season.
`I have spent three very happy and successful years with the West Honda Pons team and now I feel it is time to move on,´ explained Capirossi. `For sure I shall miss the team as I it has been the best team I have ridden in during my career but I am relishing the new challenge offered to me by Ducati. The prospect of being the number one rider with such a prestigious Italian constructor as Ducati is a great honour for any Italian rider and I am looking forward to the prospect of being involved in the development of such an exciting new project. I would like to express my sincerest thanks to Sito Pons, Antonio Cobas, Santii Mulero and the rest of my mechanics for all their support over the last three years.

I will certainly miss them all.´ Ducati Corse CEO Claudio Domenicali, who also announced a four-year sponsorship contract with Marlboro, added: `We strongly wanted Troy and Loris because both have shown themselves to be extremely talented riders and above all because they are totally committed to our project. The desire to win and to face new challenges that we see in both of them was the deciding factor in our decision. Thanks to their experience, we are certain that we will make our MotoGP debut with a top-level team and with the right motivation to develop the Desmosedici as quickly as possible. ´
Capirossi ends three years of co-operation with the West Honda Pons squad as team-mate to Alex Barros. During this time he has picked up twenty-four front row starts, five pole positions, fourteen podiums and one victory from 43 Grands Prix.

from motogp.com 17/8/02

f1manoz · 17 Sep 2002, 03:43 (Ref:382085)

Hmm, I heard that Troy Bayliss was going to be number one rider on the Ducati MotoGP machine next year.

Well, whoever is number one (and there may not even be a no. 1 and no. 2) a team of Bayliss and Capirossi is formidable.

This now adds another question: where to for Max Biaggi?

racer69 · 17 Sep 2002, 06:51 (Ref:382138)

I'd say whoever is faster will be number 1, plus Troy will be more at home than Loris.

mac · 17 Sep 2002, 07:54 (Ref:382175)

It is a damn good lineup. And if Troy can get a grip on the MotoGP bike, look out for Ducati next year. Two high-quality riders and a bucketload of cash from Marlboro - they've got a good act together. Look out Honda!

Dani Filth · 17 Sep 2002, 10:23 (Ref:382304)

and with the Ducati drives all full .. Biaggi is left with Kawasaki or privatiers

alesi95 · 17 Sep 2002, 10:51 (Ref:382333)

I guess Loris was named No1 because he has severel years experience of 500s and Bayliss doesn't.

I really hope Ducatti and Bayliss do get it together. Remeber Italian machines haven't realy gone well in Moto Gp in recent history. I.e Cagivas last few seasons and Ducatti's one of in 95.
And don't get me started on Superbike riders in Moto Gp, Kochinski, Haga, etc.

asha · 17 Sep 2002, 10:51 (Ref:382334)

i still reckon Biaggi is gonna be in a Honda

f1manoz · 17 Sep 2002, 12:36 (Ref:382428)

Kawasaki may not be a bad option. It will take a year for the bike to develop, but to have a name rider and with his experience, a link up between those two could do wonders for both.

On the other hand, it could all end in disaster....

Airhead · 18 Sep 2002, 13:48 (Ref:383430)

Loris number one...

Sure, until Troy takes to the track at the same time.

steve nielsen · 20 Sep 2002, 00:30 (Ref:384506)

Jurgen VD Goorbergh is negotiating with Pons for next year, I hope he can get a Honda V5 next year.

The Ducati team looks in good shape with those 2, Kawa is also coming back, Suzuki and Yamaha are very eager to score and Honda will have more V5's on track next year.

Seems to me like the 2003 season will be great!

Airhead · 20 Sep 2002, 01:30 (Ref:384526)

Quote:

Originally posted by steve nielsen

Seems to me like the 2003 season will be great!

Your not wrong Steve, a real resurgence within the class.

f1manoz · 20 Sep 2002, 01:33 (Ref:384528)

I'm a fan of Jurgen (don't know why, I think it's just the name!) and I hope he gets his hand on some competitive machinery next year. I think he's a talent, but has been hampered by the machinery he's ridden in the past. He has some impressive outings on the KR3 Modenas and also had some good outings on the Honda V-twin.

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