Rossi to test for Ducati at Valencia
Yamaha agree to let nine-time World Champion out of contract following recent string of GP successes
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FOLLOWING WEEKS of 'will he/won't he' speculation, Valentino Rossi has confirmed he WILL test for Ducati in 2010 at official post-season testing in Valencia.
Yamaha has agreed to waive the Italian's binding contract details, allowing Rossi to ride the Ducati GP10 racer at the Spanish end-of-season test.
Rossi has impressed with a string of results for Yamaha in the last few MotoGP races, including a blistering win at Sepang and a well-earned podium place at last weekend's Australian GP.
“I have had a discussion with (chief director Masao) Furusawa, and he told me I will be allowed to test the Ducati at Valencia,” said Rossi after Sunday's race.
Our MotoGP man believes Ducati are to allow Rossi to test both Screamer and Big-Bang V4 engines when he rides the GP10 for the first time later this year, giving the company a crucial three-month start on the task of adapting the bike to the demands of Rossi and crew chief Jerry Burgess.
