Stoner off to Honda.

[Gazza]

http://www.crash.net

Casey Stoner will ride for Honda in the 2011 MotoGP World Championship after it was confirmed he will part ways with Ducati at the end of the 2010 MotoGP season.

Stoner's future with the Italian manufacturer, with whom he won the 2007 MotoGP World Championship, has been the subject of speculation for several months, but both Ducati and Honda have now confirmed the inevitable

Coming shortly after Ducati announced Stoner was to leave it at the end of the 2010 season, Honda confirmed its new acquisition, stating its delight in signing the former champion.

"We are very pleased that Casey will join Honda again next year,” said HRC vice president Shuhei Nakamoto. “Clearly he is one of the top riders in MotoGP and he will bring valuable speed and experience to our team.

“In the factory Honda squad we already have two very strong and experienced riders in Dani Pedrosa and Andrea Dovizioso who are performing very well and currently hold second and third positions in the 2010 World Championship.

"HRC hopes also to retain these two riders for next year - giving us what would be a truly formidable line-up."

Marking a return to the manufacturer he made his MotoGP debut with in 2006, Stoner's move is expected to kick-start a flurry of activity in the rider market.

Foremost will be the whereabouts of Valentino Rossi, who is tipped to replace Stoner at Ducati, with Ben Spies being earmarked for FIAT Yamaha.

During his time with Ducati, Stoner won 20 grands prix.

[Zax]

That open up the space for Rossi to go to Ducati and Spies to go to Yamaha.???