Ducati have announced the signings of Ben Spies and Andrea Iannone for their satellite team in the 2013 MotoGP season. The squad will be run by Pramac Racing but both riders will receive factory equipment as the Italian manufacturer seeks to return to the front of the grid next season.
As confirmed last month, Nicky Hayden and Andrea Dovizioso will team up in the works Ducati outfit and the quartet will be expected to collectively improve development of next year’s machine.
For Spies, the change brings an end to a four-year association with Yamaha which has included a World Superbike Championship success in 2009 and a maiden MotoGP win at Assen last year. The 2012 campaign has been riddled with misfortune though with consecutive retirements in the United States compounding his misery.
Iannone will be an exciting addition to the MotoGP class with his aggressive and entertaining style a feature of the Moto2 class since its inception. The Italian rider finished third in 2010 and 2011 and currently lies fourth this season, 64 points behind series leader Marc Marquez. Along with the Spaniard and Britain’s Bradley Smith, Iannone will make up a mouth-watering rookie battle next year with all three lining up on prototype motorcycles.
MotoGP 2013: Confirmed Teams and Riders
| Yamaha Factory Racing |
|---|
 Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi  |
| Repsol Honda |
| Dani Pedrosa and Marc Marquez |
| Ducati Team |
 Nicky Hayden and Andrea Dovizioso |
| Monster Yamaha Tech 3 |
 Cal Crutchlow and Bradley Smith |
| Pramac Racing Team |
| Ben Spies and Andrea Iannone |
| LCR Honda |
 Stefan Bradl |
