Originally Posted by Gilps

Here's what I think for what it's worth.

Ducati is owned by an Italian private equity company. Their main aim is to invest in Ducati, raise its profile and value and then sell it on at a profit. Rossi will raise the profile. Getting kicked in WSB won't. Rossi doesn't come cheap. There is a new sportsbike coming in 2012 so Ducati will probably return to WSB then. They will probably aim to win GP and WSB in 2012, so I reckon that's when we will see Ducati up for sale.

Forget all the spin from the company. This is all about share price and return on investment. It's understandable but very sad at the same time to see the most successful team not even competing next year. Sure, there will be privateers running Ducatis, but no factory team. A sad day.