Andrea Dovizioso is set to link with Ducati in 2013, replacing Valentino Rossi.
The Italian rider, who was linked to the Yamaha ride that Rossi recently secured, has been linked to the seat at the Desmosedici team, and looks likely to leave the Tech 3 Yamaha team at the end of the year.
Dovizioso told Italian news outlet Gazzetta dello Sport that discussions with Ducati were nearing a conclusion. He also said that he was confident he could overcome the issues that Ducati riders have faced in recent times.
“No rider likes to change often, but it’s OK. I have adapted to the Yamaha bike, so I’ll do the same with the Ducati,” Dovizioso said.
“Honestly these days are not so peculiar, these things need time. It’s not as if you sign the day after you start talking. You ponder your chances inside your head, and this has been happening for a while.”
Dovizioso has scored five podium finishes this year, including a third place result at Indianapolis last weekend.
Should Dovizioso sign a deal with Ducati, it will mean that every factory outfit has secured its 2013 riders.
In other MotoGP news, Nicky Hayden and Hector Barbera have confirmed thy will miss this weekend’s race at Brno.
Hayden suffered a hand injury and will not be back on his Ducati until the Misano round in mid-September. His will not be replaced at Brno.
Barbera was thrown from his bike in Free Practice 1 at Indy, fracturing a vertebrae. He will be replaced by Toni Elias.
