Ducati expects Jerry Burgess to sign 2011 deal

Ducati boss Filippo Preziosi has told MCN he expects all of Valentino Rossi’s crew to follow the Italian when he joins the Bologna factory for the 2011 MotoGP world championship.

Yamaha has confirmed that Burgess and the rest of Rossi’s loyal crew will quit at the end of the current campaign after the Italian signed a Ducati deal in early July.
Burgess and Rossi’s crew, who have worked with the 31-year-old throughout his MotoGP career, have remained tight-lipped on their future plans.

But Yamaha gave the squad a Misano deadline in early September to outline their 2011 plans and it was confirmed during last weekend’s Motorland Aragon race that all were leaving.

The news was first reported by MCN on Saturday night via twitter.com/birtymotogp Yamaha’s declaration that Burgess and the crew will quit makes it inevitable that they will be in tandem with Rossi again next season when he tries to win a tenth world crown for Ducati.

Preziosi though says no deal has been signed with Rossi’s crew, but he expected negotiations to reach a successful and imminent conclusion.

Preziosi told MCN: “I think there is a very strong human relationship between Jeremy and Valentino and the other guys, so for me it is completely understandable that the rider would like to have that crew. For me from a company side we know that crew is very good.”

Asked if Burgess and the crew will be at Ducati, he added: “I think it could happen.”
The arrival of Burgess and Rossi’s staff also confirms that several of Casey Stoner’s crew will move with the Australian to Honda’s official factory team for next season.
The Australian’s crew chief Cristian Gabbarini will move and Preziosi said:

“We have the same strong relationship with Cristian, Casey and the other guys. Even if we offer a good opportunity for them to stay in Ducati, we understand that they have good reason and might want to go with Casey. That is life. We know we will lose some knowledge but we have to accept it.”