Aspar closing in on Ducati MotoGP deal

One of the MotoGP World Championship’s longest running sagas could come to an end as early as this weekend, as Jorge Martinez ‘Aspar’ looks to finalise an arrangement to move his successful lower cylinder category project up to the premier class.

The Spaniard is moving ahead with a potential deal with Ducati to run a satellite team in 2010, explaining to motogp.com at Sachsenring that “the idea is to work with Ducati and we are going forward with this plan. We have to tie up the last few details –the matter of the rider more than anything- and hope to be able to announce something at Donington at the latest.”

Whilst current Aspar 250cc star Álvaro Bautista would be the logical choice and hot favourite for the spot in the new team, his name has not yet been confirmed by either party. The quarter-litre title contender is, however, looking to progress to 800cc competition having engaged in talks with a number of premier class managers.

Aspar expressed his interest in a MotoGP ascension last year, negotiating to run satellite squads for both Yamaha and Suzuki in addition to links with a third Kawasaki bike.