Gibernau GP return confirmed
Added on Friday, October 24th, 2008 by Carole Nash Editor | No Comments
Gibernau to make a return in 2009 at age of 35.
Sete Gibernau has confirmed that he will be returning to MotoGP in 2009 after signing with the new Ducati-backed Onde 2000 team.
The Frenchman, 35, who retired two years ago after losing his seat at the factory Ducati team to Casey Stoner, will return to the competition next year in a move that is sure to attract plenty of interest for his new employers in their debut season at Grand Prix level.
Managed by Pablo and Gelete Nieto, the Onde 2000 team will move up to Grand Prix class after just one season in 125cc competition, running one GP9 in the new season, increasing the manufacturers entry list to five riders and expanding the MotoGP paddock to 19 riders.
Earlier in the season rumours had circulated that Gibernau was due to replace Marco Melandri at the factory Ducati team after the nine-times Grand Prix winner tested for Ducati on several occasions, but that door was closed following the signing of Honda rider Nicky Hayden.
Gibernau, who will ride the number 59 bike after his favoured number 15 was already registered by Alex de Angelis, was nevertheless looking forward to the new challenge.
“I’m excited about what it means to be a MotoGP rider,” said Gibernau. “I’ve come back to enjoy it again and it’s a good opportunity for me. That’s my main goal; to enjoy riding. I’m still open to learning again, even at 35… I’m going to have to work very hard and I’m ready for that.
“I’ve been watching and I’ve been impressed with the riders. I have a lot of respect for them and I have to be conscious that it´s going to be difficult. I’m going to have to work very hard and I’m ready for that.”
Gibernau is expected to test a GP8 motorcycle at Valencia this weekend before getting his hands on a GP9 in November.
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