New wife and new team for Stoner

We are very pleased with the team", added Ducati Managing Director Federico Minoli, speaking about the riders. "Loris has now become a part of the bike, a centrepiece not only for racing but also for the image of Ducati, while Casey represents the future. He comes from a place called Kurri Kurri and therefore it is impossible for him to go slow! He is a young rider, and still has time to mature and become more consistent. For this he has an expert in his team to whom he can tap into. At the end of the day we all agree with what Wayne Rainey had to say: It is easier for a fast rider to learn how not to crash than a slow rider to learn how to go quick. It seems that there is already a good feeling with the team and this is the best possible start. We wish Casey and Loris all the best and for the team to do better than all the others".

Then it was the turn of an excited and smiling Casey Stoner, who arrived in Madonna di Campiglio with his wife Adriana, whom he married just over a week ago.

"There is nothing that makes me happier than being a Ducati rider", declared Stoner. "The bike has improved and become more and more competitive ever since its debut in MotoGP, and so have the Bridgestone tyres, something that I could see in the first tests. I think I've got an excellent package and I'm also sure that Ducati is a great family of which I am proud to be a part of. Last year was my first year in MotoGP and I was the only rider in the team, but I think that having a team-mate to shape up against is better. I am sure that I will learn a lot from Loris, I don't think I could have hoped for a better team-mate than him at this moment in time and probably never will".

"In 2006 I made a few mistakes", continued the young Australian. "Too many crashes due to very little feeling with the front, something that I haven't noticed with the Bridgestones.

I want to start from here, learn and make progress, and try and get the best possible results. As for the bike, I'm very happy with the power; in the tests so far I didn't feel much difference to the 1000cc machines. I am really pleased with the way everything is going and hope that we can continue to improve".