Dovizioso Joins Ducati Factory Team

Ducati's factory MotoGP team have confirmed the signing of Andrea Dovizioso on a two-year contract.

The Italian, 26, is currently the team-mate of Cal Crutchlow at Tech 3 Yamaha and will replace Valentino Rossi at Ducati in 2013.

Filippo Preziosi, general manager of the Ducati team, said: "I'm pleased that he has chosen to join our team.

"Andrea is aware of the work to be done and approaches it with enthusiasm and confidence."

Dovizioso is currently in fourth place in the MotoGP championship standings, and will join Nicky Hayden on the team after Rossi's decision to return to Yamaha.

Hayden will miss this weekend's race in the Czech Republic after being knocked out in a qualifying crash at Indianapolis.

Crutchlow had been heavily linked with taking a ride at Ducati and could now be forced to re-sign with Tech 3 for next season.

Related articles

• Dani Pedrosa Indianapolis Winner

Andrea Dovizioso Fitness Battle

Andrea Dovizioso has broken his collarbone and faces a battle to be fit for the first MotoGP test session of 2012 in Sepang on 31 January.

The Italian rider, who will race for Monster Yamaha Tech3 in 2012, suffered the injury in a motocross accident.

Dovizioso, 25, posted a picture of himself on Twitter in a plastercast.

Dovizioso finished a career-best third in the 2011 MotoGP world championship, his third and final season at Repsol Honda.

He will ride alongside Englishman Cal Crutchlow for Tech3 next season.

Ducati rider Nicky Hayden broke his left shoulder blade and fractured two ribs at an indoor flat track facility in December and could also miss the first test session.

The first race of the season will take place at the desert circuit of Losail in Qatar on 8 April 2012.