Pramac Racing has confimred that 20-year-old Aleix EspargarÌ_ will continue with the team in 2010, replacing Niccolo Canepa.
The team stated that after the two good performances in the Indianapolis - where he filled in for Mika Kallio - and Misano Grand Prix, he has deserved to compete in the top class on the Ducati Desmosedici SAT for the 2010 season.
‰ÛÏOur collaboration with Ducati Corse became stronger through the years and from this season we have begun the project to become a sort of junior Team where to grow young talented riders," Pramac Racing Team Principal Paolo Campinoti said.
"This year we have already obtained good results thanks to Mika Kallio performances and this is why the Finnish rider will remain with us next season. This is and will be our mentality; in fact, from this point it has begun the idea to give the possibility to Aleix to ride for us in 2010. In Indianapolis he has demonstrated to be competitive since the first laps in both track conditions, dry and wet, and in Misano he confirmed his good feeling with this category. We really count on him; his attitude and devotion to this sport give us a lot of trust. He is a determined rider and we are sure that he will give us a lot of satisfactions.
On the depature of NiccolÌ_ Canepa, Campinoti added, "I take this occasion to thanks NiccolÌ_ Canepa. He is a strong guy and we wish him a happy future on and off track. We remember this year results at Mugello and Donington where he made it to conquer ninth and eight position 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‰Ûªt 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.‰Û
