Ducati pit crew to join Stoner at Repsol Honda

“It’s really important to have somebody you trust and who understands you well,” says 2007 world champ

FORMER MOTOGP World Champion Casey Stoner has confirmed he'll be taking his entire pit crew with him from Marlboro Ducati to his new position at Repsol Honda in 2011.

Visordown's MotoGP man understands the deal is to include crew chief Cristian Gabarrini and his Italian mechanics.

“It’s really important to have somebody you trust and who understands you well,” said Stoner, adding: “I think the reason riders are doing it more nowadays is because they have more power.”

The news comes as a welcome relief to Stoner's spannermen, whose future was unceratin after new Ducati signing Valentino Rossi announced he'd be bringing his trusted pit crew with him when he joins the squad in 2011.