MotoGP: D'Antin Ducati pursue four 2008 MotoGP targets

Ducati’s satellite team boss Luis D’Antin has confirmed to MCN he is in talks with four riders about a 2008 MotoGP world championship ride.

Although Luis D’Antin is keen to retain Brazilian veteran Alex Barros, Ducati want a much younger line-up in its satellite team, with the aim of grooming them for an eventual move to the Marlboro-backed factory team which will run Casey Stoner and Marco Melandri in 2008.

That leaves Luis D’Antin pursuing a host of top 250 talent including Andrea Dovizioso, Alex de Angelis, KTM rider Hiroshi Aoyama and one unnamed rider.

Luis D’Antin said: “There are a thousand rumours. I’m speaking with Dovizioso, Aoyama and de Angelis.

“Honestly we are speaking with all of them but that is normal at this time. Now is the time to speak and understand what the riders are looking for.

“We are happy about the possibilities we have.”

Luis D’Antin’s other current rider Alex Hofmann seems practically resigned he won’t have a deal for next season.

The German, who is recovering following the serious left hand injury he suffered in Laguna Seca, was at last weekend’s Brands Hatch World Superbike round pursuing a ride in World Superbikes for 2008.