Rossi to Ducati in 2011!

In a move that is set to shock Yamaha fans and thrill Ducatisti, Valentino Rossi will be changing loyalties to Ducati Corse for the 2011 MotoGP season. The story broken by British weekly Motorcycle News (MCN), the official announcement of the shift could come as early as this weekend at the Catalunya GP on July 4.

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Even though the publication has not revealed its sources or their authenticity, the news comes on the heels of strong rumours that had been floating in the MotoGP paddock ever since Casey Stoner sent signals that he would be moving to Honda for the next season, leaving the top seat in Ducati open. The dream all-Italian team of Rossi and Ducati had been on the wishlist of Roman fans for a very long time.

It's not just about wishes though. The two year deal with Ducati will fetch Vale around 12 million pounds - higher than what Yamaha had been paying him after he willingly took a pay cut when the recession hit MotoGP. His teammate Jorge Lorenzo however had received a massive bump up in salary for this season though, and it seemed as if it was on the Doctor's allowance. Ducati also has heavy support from Marlboro in racing - and the red tobacco brand's links in motorsport which include the Ferrari F1 team could also mean that Rossi has enough avenues to explore when he retires from motorcycle racing.

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Ben Spies is most likely to take the No. 2 spot in the Yamaha factory team for 2011. The burning question however - once MCN's reports are substantiated - is whether Rossi's chief engineer and the man behind his winning machines, Jeremy Burgess will switch to Ducati as well. Watch this space for the drama as it unfolds!

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