Valentino Rossi leaves Ducati for Yamaha

Valentino Rossi will return to Yamaha in 2013 after leaving Ducati at the end of the current season, the Japanese manufacturer confirmed on Friday.

Ducati announced this morning that Rossi was leaving the team following a disappointing two-year spell at the Italian squad, where the Italian rider struggled to be competitive, managing just two podiums and no victories so far.

Rossi enjoyed a very successful time at Yamaha, which he joined from Honda at the start of the 2004 season.

With the Japanese squad, the nine-time world champion took the titles in 2004, 2005, 2008 and 2009 and scored 46 victories before leaving for Ducati at the end of 2010.

Rossi will rejoin Yamaha alongside Spaniard Jorge Lorenzo, who was his team-mate at the team before he decided to leave for Ducati.

The Italian rider has signed a two-year deal with Yamaha.

"This announcement is once again excellent news for Yamaha," said Yamaha's Lin Jarvis. "In June we were able to sign Jorge Lorenzo for the 2013-14 campaign and now we are able to confirm Valentino Rossi for the next two years.

"In doing so we have been able to put together the strongest possible team to challenge for victories and to promote the Yamaha brand.

"The target for the future is obvious and we will do our utmost to achieve our goals.

"I have no doubt that with the experience, knowledge, skills and speed of these two great champion riders we will be able to challenge for many race wins and for the 2013 & 2014 World Championship titles."

source:autosport

Hopefully Vale will actually have a bike he's able to ride, rather than the beast that is the current Duke. It's been a sad sight the last couple of years watching an all time great unable to even match midfield runners and getting absolutely nowhere in developing and improving the bike he's been on. It is still mind-boggling that two of the most talented riders around (Rossi and Hayden) have just been totally unable to make the machinery work - suggests there are some findamental design issues with the bike.

Even if he doesn't win another title, at least we can hope for a few more race wins before Rossi calls it a day (probably at the end of this contract).

I think it's a great move not only for Vale but for Moto GP as a entertainment sport because watching the usual suspects (Lorenzo/Stoner/Pedrosa) stroll away from the field has become slightly boring and predictable.

Still can't see Rossi beating Jorge over a season on the same bike but he should be able to pick up a handful of wins which will be great to watch. Also look forward to seeing Marquez next season.

John, never ever count out Vale. His moving to Yamaha is very deliberate because there was a Honda seat available.

Jorge and Vale will bring out the best in each other and make motogp pleasurable once more.

Thankfully Stacey is gone. Best news ever

What have you got against Stoner Belgarion? He always put on a good show and it's good to see that Rossi has had to swallow his pride and ride for Yamaha again even though he left them when they wouldn't get rid of Lorenzo even though Lorenzo won the championship that year. It's strange that Rossi has not been able to tame the Italian beast,where Barbera and Hayden seemed to do OK on it and Stoner won a championship on it.I would have liked the Yamaha ride to have gone to Doviozo as he has proved to be pretty consistent.Say what you like but Moto GP won't be the same without Casey Stoner.

Motogp won't be the same without Stacey. That's very true. There will be no one constantly blaming everyone else for his failings, no punching of rivals for getting on his way, no moaning when a hard move is pulled on him and no one not bothering to set up a bike properly and looking to disappear into the distance without racing anyone.

He has talent, of that there is no doubt, everything else needs work. Maybe this retirement will help him