All change at Ducati

[awwwnuts]

Expect we all know this but just in case. Makes for interesting times

Tardozzi open to offers

By Michael Guy -

World Superbikes

06 November 2009 15:07

Former Xerox Ducati WSB team boss Davide Tardozzi has told MCN that he is open to offers from other factories to continue his distinguished career as one of the worlds most successful team managers.

Tardozzi worked for Ducati as a rider and then team manager for 20 years having clinched the WSB crown with Carl Fogarty, Troy Corser, Neil Hodgson, James Toseland and Troy Bayliss.

Speaking to MCN by phone from his home in Italy he said:

“I still had two years left to run on my contract, but in the last two months I felt my motivation wasn’t 100%. I did not want to make any announcement while the championship was still running so I waited until after Portimao.

“As team manager it is my job to motivate the riders, the engineers and the mechanics but I did not feel that I had the right motivation myself to do this.”

Since the revelation yesterday that Tardozzi was quitting the most successful team in WSB history there has been endless speculation over why he is leaving. The rumours vary from him being sacked because of a lack of team orders in this years title fight to that he left because he was not offered Livio Suppo’s job in MotoGP.

He said: “I’ve read and heard the rumours and the speculation, but I can say that this is not true. I spoke with Filippo (Preziosi) on Tuesday night and the Claudio (Domenicali) on Wednesday. They tried to convince me to change my mind but the whole thing has been dealt with in a professional, gentlemanly and friendly way.”

“The reason is because I am looking for a new challenge. I started with Ducati in 1989 and I am making this chance for my own personal reasons and challenge. I am not thinking any new role has to WSB or it has to be MotoGP, but I want to have a relationship direct with a factory. There is no interest in me running a private team.”

There is one scenario that would mean Tardozzi wouldn’t have to look to far to find another job. Current rumours suggest that Yamaha World Superbike team manager Massimo Meregalli has an offer on the table from the Fiat Yamaha MotoGP team. Should he decide to take it, Tardozzi would be well placed to secure the role.

Tardozzi wouldn’t be drawn on the speculation, but said:

“I am happy for Massimo. It would be good for him, but I don’t think it would be good for Yamaha Superbike because he has done a very good job this year."

Valencia MotoGP: Ducati confirm Livio Suppo departure

By Matthew Birt -

MotoGP

05 November 2009 14:22

Ducati has confirmed team boss Livio Suppo will leave its factory team after this weekend’s final race in Valencia.

Although not yet officially confirmed, Suppo will take up a management role with Honda in 2010, as was first reported by MCN earlier today.

A key player in Ducati’s MotoGP project since its inception in 2003, the Bologna factory confirmed current test rider Vittoriano Gaureschi would replace Suppo next season.

MCN understands Suppo has been in discussions with HRC about a role for months.

“Livio has meant a great deal to Ducati and also to me personally; he has been a loyal and valuable colleague but above all a great friend,” Claudio Domenicali, General Director of Ducati.

“We are very sorry that he has decided to leave the company but, in light of his correctness, professionalism and the great contribution he has made to the growth and success of the MotoGP project and the Ducati brand, we can only offer him our very best wishes as he takes on a new professional challenge.

"This is, however, also one of those moments in which we can rethink our organisation in order to further improve, and this is what we have done in defining the 2010 team’s direction.

"The management of the Ducati Marlboro Team will be entrusted to, and reinforced by, two new managerial figures.

"Alessandro Cicognani, currently marketing manager for the Ducati Corse Division, will be responsible for the MotoGP project and alongside him, Vittoriano Guareschi, already the test rider for Ducati, will undertake the role of Team Manager, bringing to the squad a wealth of knowledge and experience that he has gained through being a professional rider and, most recently, a test rider.”