Aspar confirms Ducati switch for 2016

Aspar has confirmed that they will switch to Ducati machines in 2016. At Aragon Ducati confirmed to Motorcycle News that the manufacturer was in advanced talks with the Spanish team to offer them a supply of GP14.2 bikes that will see them have support from the factory with two engineers joining the squad.

“Our first two years in MotoGP, 2010 and 2011, were quite positive alongside Ducati,” said Jorge Martinez. “That was before the arrival of the CRT bikes, where we enjoyed lots of success. Throughout our time so far in MotoGP we have worked with Ducati, Aprilia and Honda. Now we return to Ducati, and without a doubt I am expecting we will have competitive bikes and great riders capable of scoring the kinds of results we deserve, which is inside the top ten.

“Ducati have made big changes in recent times, in particular in their racing department in the hands of Gigi Dall’Igna. He’s someone we have had an excellent relationship with for 20 years now. I have complete faith in his abilities, and that is definitely one of the reasons we have decided to work with Ducati once more in the future.”

Ducati’s Gigi Dall’Igna, who worked closely with Aspar during his time with Aprilia, commented that, “We are very pleased to welcome the Aspar Team once again to the Ducati family. I have known Jorge for many years and I worked together with his team in 125 and 250 in the past, achieving many important results.

“We will provide competitive bikes and technical support to the team, with the aim of helping the two riders to reach the results they are aiming for. Thanks to the agreement with the Aspar Team there will be eight riders on Ducati Desmosedici bikes in the Championship next year, and this shows that the increased competitiveness of our bikes is now a reality recognized in the MotoGP paddock.”

Having confirmed that Yonny Hernandez would join the team for next year the news comes as no surprise to the paddock and with the same machinery as Avintia the Aspar riders will have an immediate measuring stick.

The team also confirmed the future of Eugene Laverty with the Irishman remaining with the squad for 2016.