Ducati presents Stoner

Casey Stoner appeared in Ducati red for the first time on Tuesday, as the Wrooom-MotoGP Press Ski Meeting got underway with the first of two scheduled press conferences at Madonna di Campiglio.

In recent years, the Ducati Marlboro Team has used this traditional appointment in the Italian mountains to get its season underway and the opening day of the 2007 event saw Ducati Motor Holding chairman and managing director, Federico Minoli, speak about the Italian company's ongoing MotoGP campaign against the Japanese giants - then turn his attention to new rider Stoner. The 21-year-old is still the youngest rider on the MotoGP grid and joins the factory team, which won three races last season with Loris Capirossi, after spending a fast but incident-packed debut year at Honda LCR.

"It seems that despite being a very small company and despite bending over backwards, there is an almost magical combination of genius, technology and all-Italian passion that allows us to remain at the same high level as last year," commented Minoli, regarding Ducati's commitment in MotoGP. "Although the overall investment is extremely high, in terms of cost to the company it is one that can be entirely sustained by our budget. Most of the resources dedicated to racing are covered by the proceeds coming from sponsors, whom I wish to thank for their fundamental support, as well as television rights and licensing products. I am also particularly proud to underline that the extraordinary sales success of the new 1098 bike plays a part in helping us spend the right amount to finance our sporting activity.

"We are very pleased with the team," added Minoli, speaking about Ducati's 2007 line-up. "Loris [Capirossi] has now become a part of the bike, a centrepiece not only for racing but also for the image of Ducati, while Casey represents the future. He comes from a place called Kurri Kurri and therefore it is impossible for him to go slow! He is a young rider, and still has time to mature and become more consistent. For this he has an expert in his team to whom he can tap into. At the end of the day we all agree with what Wayne Rainey had to say: It is easier for a fast rider to learn how not to crash than a slow rider to learn how to go quick. It seems that there is already a good feeling with the team and this is the best possible start. We wish Casey and Loris all the best and for the team to do better than all the others."

Then it was the turn of a smiling Stoner, who arrived in Madonna di Campiglio with his new wife Adriana, whom he married just over a week ago.

"There is nothing that makes me happier than being a Ducati rider," declared Stoner on greeting the international press. "The bike has improved and become more and more competitive ever since its debut in MotoGP, and so have the Bridgestone tyres, something that I could see in the first tests. I think I've got an excellent package and I'm also sure that Ducati is a great family of which I am proud to be a part of. Last year was my first year in MotoGP and I was the only rider in the team, but I think that having a team-mate to shape up against is better. I am sure that I will learn a lot from Loris, I don't think I could have hoped for a better team-mate than him at this moment in time and probably never will.

"In 2006 I made a few mistakes," confessed the young Australian. "Too many crashes due to very little feeling with the front, something that I haven't noticed with the Bridgestones. I want to start from here, learn and make progress, and try and get the best possible results. As for the bike, I'm very happy with the power; in the tests so far I didn't feel much difference to the 1000cc machines. I am really pleased with the way everything is going and hope that we can continue to improve."

On Wednesday, immediately after the unveiling of the new Desmosedici GP7, it will be the turn of Claudio Domenicali, Ducati Corse CEO, and Capirossi to take part in the international press meeting at Madonna di Campiglio.