CASEY STONER has left Ducati following a three-year collaboration.
The two-time MotoGP champion joined forces with the Italian manufacturer back in 2016, on a limited term contract as a test and development rider. During his tenure with Ducati, Stoner helped to improve the Desmosedici GP, and also contributed to the final development of the Panigale V4.
Stoner, who raced for the manufacturer for some of his career, also acted as a Ducati ‘brand ambassador’, attending various events around the world, including two editions of World Ducati Week.
Commenting on Stoner’s departure Claudio Domenicali, Ducati CEO, commented:
“Casey is and will always remain in the hearts of Ducatisti and it is also on their behalf that we wish to thank him for the important collaboration he has offered us over the last three years.
“His technical indications and suggestions, together with the work and the feedback of the factory riders and Michele Pirro, have helped to make the Desmosedici GP one of the most competitive bikes on the grid, and his advice for the development of our production bikes has been just as precious and useful.
“Ducati and its many fans wish to offer their sincere thanks and their best wishes to Casey and his family for a serene and happy future.”
Stoner added: “I want to thank Ducati for the great memories and especially the support and enthusiasm of the Ducati fans for our shared passion for racing and motorcycling, I’ll always remember this.
“Over the past three years I have really enjoyed doing my job with the test team, the engineers and technicians, as we worked towards improving the Desmosedici GP package and I sincerely want to wish the team all the very best for their future endeavours.”
The question is, what's next for Stoner? At 33 and with a young family a return to the international racing scene seems unlikely, but not impossible.
But still, is there a Stoner-shaped hole in MotoGP, or even MotoE?
Only time will tell. Keep an eye on Visordown for updates as they happen.
