Moto GP world champion Casey Stoner has said for the good of the competition he wants to see Ducati and Valentino Rossi mount a serious challenge this year.
Rossi, 32, struggled in his first season on the Italian bike and failed to win a single race for the first time since his 125cc debut season in 1996.
Honda's Stoner won 10 races in 2011 to beat Jorge Lorenzo to the title.
"I'm hoping [Ducati] can put together a competitive bike this year because the championship needs it," he said.
"Regardless of what the riders want, everyone needs as many manufacturers at the front as possible."
The 26-year-old Australian, who has won the title twice, expects Yamaha's Lorenzo, from Spain, to again be his main rival when the new season starts in Qatar on 8 April.
"Jorge was first in 2010 and second in 2011 - he will always be there fighting," he said.
