Aleix Espargaró joins Pramac Racing for 2010

Pramac Racing have confirmed today that Aleix Espargaró will join their team for the 2010 season to ride alongside Mika Kallio in MotoGP.

The talented Spanish rider made his MotoGP debut for Pramac this year, covering for Kallio whilst the Finnish star rode the Ducati factory bike in Casey Stoner’s absence during the summer, and his results at Indianapolis and Misano (13th and 11th) respectively were enough to earn him a permanent premier class ride.

The 20 year-old, who grew up near Barcelona’s Montmeló circuit, reacted to the news saying, “I am very happy to be arriving in MotoGP after the time I have had this year. It is better news to be riding for Ducati all through next season than to be riding in the final few races of this year, which could have happened. The two races that I did for Ducati this year were good, I was very comfortable on the bike and with the team. I think I adapt well to MotoGP because I’m quite tall and the bikes suit me better than Moto2 machines. 2010 could be a good year for me.”

He added, “I performed well in the two MotoGP races I did but now I will have the whole winter to practice with the bike, get the set-up right and prepare for 2010. I will be able to prepare calmly and precisely for racing in MotoGP.”

On the thought process that went into his decision to move into the big time after spending most of the year developing a Moto2 machine, Espargaró added, “Obviously this is a great opportunity for me as I had already assumed I would be riding in Moto2 next year, which was my objective this season, to secure a place in the new championship. But in the end this chance has come along and it is so hard to get a chance in MotoGP so you can’t turn it down. Pramac are one of the best satellite teams in the championship, so I’m really happy and really motivated to make the most of this opportunity.”

Pramac Racing Team Principal, Paolo Campinoti, stated “This year we have already got good results thanks to Mika Kallio’s performances and this is why the Finnish rider will remain with us next season. In Indianapolis Aleix demonstrated his competitiveness from the first laps in both track conditions, dry and wet, and in Misano he confirmed his good feeling with the bike. We really count on him; his attitude and devotion to this sport give us a lot of trust.”

Of departing rider Niccolò Canepa, Campinoti added, “I want to take this opportunity to thank Niccolò. He is a strong guy and we wish him a happy future on and off track. We remember his results at Mugello and Donington where he was ninth and eighth and we hope he will be able to perform at least as well by showing his potential in these last three races. His little experience didn't allow him to perform as we all expected during this championship, but we are anyway convinced of his talent and we are sure he will be able to show it in other categories.”