Aspar Team to continue with Ducati

From motogp.com

The Aspar Team has announced that it will continue to contest the MotoGP World Championship with Ducati next season, having recently agreed a new deal at the British Grand Prix at Silverstone.

The Spanish team will extend the relationship it has already established with the Borgo Panigale manufacturer, which has given its unconditional support to the project headed by Jorge Martínez 'Aspar' since it began.

The commitment of both parties has ensured that Héctor Barberá has been able to make an impressive start to his rookie season in the premier class.

The recent announcement that Valentino Rossi has signed with Ducati gives the Aspar Team extra satisfaction and motivation, given that the technical expertise of the Italian superstar combined with the experience of Filippo Preziosi, creator of the Ducati Desmosedici - the MotoGP title-winning bike in 2007 - can make it an even more competitive package.

The next objective for the Aspar Team is to extend the deal with Ducati into 2012 and Martínez is already in negotiations with the team's sponsors to expand to two riders.

“I am very happy to extend our contract with Ducati for another season,” said Martínez. “Ever since we crossed paths everybody in Borgo Panigale has been completely committed to our project and the relationship is magnificent so it is an honour for us to extend it.

“Aside from this we have the news that Valentino Rossi has signed for Ducati. The Desmosedici is already one of the best bikes on the grid and I'm sure that with his input it will be even better and more manageable. His collaboration will benefit us a lot because I am sure we will have the same bike."