Mika Kallio and Niccolo Canepa confirmed at Ducati

Mika Kallio and Niccolo Canepa have finally been officially confirmed in Ducati’s satellite MotoGP squad for 2009.

Finn Kallio will step up from the KTM 250GP squad having won 12 races in the smaller classes, while Canepa has been promoted from his role as Ducati test rider.

Both will get to campaign the GP9 machine, which features a carbon fibre chassis.

The two young Pramac Racing riders will have the Ducati Desmosedici GP9 Sat with carbon chassis at their disposal for 2009.

Kallio and Canepa will replace Toni Elias and Sylvain Guintoli.

Paolo Campinoti, Pramac Racing Team boss, 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 publicly thank them for their work and for bringing us to date, two unforgettable podiums.”