Italy: MotoGP's Rossi leaves Ducati, returns to Yamaha

Rome, 10 Aug. (AKI) - Valentino Rossi, an Italian professional motorcycle racer and multiple MotoGP champion, will leave Ducati to return to Yamaha, according to Ducati's official website.

Rossi, one of the most successful motorcycle racers of all time, has decided not to renew his contract with Ducati in order to return to the Yamaha team, which he left in 2011. The contract between Ducati and Rossi will terminate shortly after the 2012 MotoGP World Championship.

"We wish Rossi all the best in the new challenges he will face, and until then we will continue to place all our energy into guaranteeing a great end of season ", said Ducati on their official website.

The winner of 105 races, including 79 in MotoGP, started racing in 1996 for Aprilia in the 125cc category, and won his first World Championship the following year. Since then he climbed categories, winning World Championships in 250cc already in 1999, the 500cc for Honda in 2001 to 2003 and four times for Yamaha between 2004 and 2009, before he joined Ducati in 2011.

"After just having renewed (American pilot) Nicky Hayden's contract, we are putting together the team that will race in the MotoGP 2013 World Championships, convinced that we will always be able to compete with the very best in team and product", Ducati said.