Ducati boss surprised at Casey Stoner departure

Ducati CEO Gabriele del Torchio has said he was surprised that Casey Stoner opted to quit the Bologna factory to sign a deal with rivals Honda for the 2011 MotoGP world championship.

The Australian, who won the world title for Ducati in a memorable 2007 campaign, signed a deal to switch to the Repsol Honda squad as early as the second race last season.

He was offered a new Ducati contract but having chosen to join HRC, Ducati were able to complete the multi-million signing of Italian icon Valentino Rossi on a two-year deal.

Speaking at the launch of Ducati’s 2011 squad at the spectacular Madonna di Campiglio ski resort in Italy, del Torchio said: “We were partially surprised but that’s life. He’s young and he has to find his way for the future.

“I have a lot of respect for him and I believe that Casey made a tremendous contribution to Ducati. In World Superbike we have been world champion many times.

“In MotoGP it is only thanks to his ability that we were able to win the world championship in 2007.”

Del Torchio though could barely contain his delight at seeing Rossi in his first official engagement for Ducati at the annual Wroom event, which sees the launch of Ducati’s MotoGP effort and Ferrari’s F1 squad.

He told MCN: “It’s very exciting for sure. I’m very proud having Valentino with us.”
He also refused to make any bold predictions about Rossi’s potential on a factory GP11 machine this year.

Ducati will be under major pressure to supply Rossi with a bike he can win on from the start of the campaign and any failure to do so is likely to be blamed on the Bologna factory.

Del Torchio said: “I can’t make forecasts right now but one thing is for sure, Valentino and Ducati are now together. If we win, we will win together. If we will lose, we will lose together, no doubt.”