Dovizioso to replace Rossi at Ducati

A press release was sent out on Wednesday afternoon, with the Italian moving up to the works team as his compatriot returns to Yamaha.

With Nicky Hayden already signed up for 2013, Dovizioso’s deal will see the 26-year-old Italian – who won his first race for Honda at Donington Park in 2009 - stepping up from the Tech 3 Yamaha squad. He had been a favourite candidate to join Jorge Lorenzo at Yamaha before Rossi made the decision to move back to his previous team.

“Andrea’s technical sensibility and test riding abilities are of great value, as are his talent and determination,” says Filippo Preziosi, General Manager of Ducati Corse. “The knowledge that we will have him on our team and be able to count on his collaboration serves as an additional incentive to continue with the growth and development of our MotoGP project.

“I’m pleased that he has chosen to be a part of our team. He is aware of the work to be done and he approaches it with enthusiasm and confidence, which are fundamental requirements for achieving success and for competing in this challenging championship.”

To date, Dovizioso has won a total of ten races when including his five 125cc victories and four 250cc successes. He has achieved a total of 62 podium finishes across the three MotoGP classes and was the 125cc World Champion of 2004.