WSBK: Ducati re-signs Haga and Fabrizio for 2010

Ducati has confirmed that Noriyuki Haga and Michel Fabrizio have re-signed to race for them in the 2010 World Superbike Championship.

Japanese rider Haga and his Italian team-mate Fabrizio currently sit second and third in the WSBK standings. The pair have shared seven victories and 18 further podiums in the series’ 22 races so far this year and have helped the Xerox Ducati team to a healthy lead in the teams’ championship.

The 34-year-old Haga switched to Ducati from Yamaha this season and is again showing the strong form which has seen him finish in the top four of the rankings in every year he has contested since 2000.

"I am very happy that this great team continues to believe in me!” said Haga. “I thank Ducati, the team and everyone that was involved in making the decision. I have a great relationship with my team and with Michel, and so I am more than happy to stay here in 2010. We don't yet know how this year will end, but what is certain is that I will continue to do my best, as I do every weekend. Knowing that I have a job for next year will surely spur me on; I will give 200% in Imola this weekend, and then if that's not enough I'll redouble my efforts at Magny and Portimao!"

Fabrizio made his Ducati debut in alongside retired champion Troy Bayliss in 2008, finishing eighth in the standings as his Australian team-mate took the title. He is highly-regarded with the Italian manufacturer and was recently called up to help our affiliated squad Pramac Racing in Moto GP.

"I'm very happy, I received confirmation of the renewal the day before my birthday and this news was a great end to the week,” he said. “I'm currently third in the championship and I'll continue to give my all in the final three rounds. At Imola I'm going to go on fighting my own battle, and then we'll see how Nori and I are placed... I'll perhaps change my strategy for the last two races, if need be, in order to assist Nori. Next year I won't let anyone get ahead as quickly as Nori did this season and I'll be doing all I can to be near the top of the standings right from the start of the championship."

"Nori and Michel are both racing, and bringing home extremely satisfying results, in what is a very close-fought championship and so Ducati is proud to be able to confirm them both for the 2010 season,” said Filippo Preziosi - General Director Ducati Corse. “The experience they have accumulated this year will surely contribute to even stronger performances in the future. My compliments to the entire team for the professionalism and passion with which everyone works each weekend at the tracks."

Watch highlights of both the World Superbike and Supersport races from Imola on Motors TV (Sky Channel 413, Virgin Media 545) on Thursday 3 October at 9.15pm (BST).


Andy Wilkinson