Aspar MotoGP team swaps Honda for Ducati, keeps Laverty for 2016
The Aspar team has announced it will switch from Honda to Ducati for the 2016 MotoGP season, retaining Eugene Laverty alongside Yonny Hernandez
Jorge Martinez's squad was originally a Ducati customer when it graduated from its ultra-successful programmes in the feeder series to the premier class in 2010.
It has fielded Open class Hondas for MotoGP rookie Laverty and 2006 world champion Nicky Hayden this season.
Hayden has revealed he will leave MotoGP for World Superbikes next season, while current Pramac Ducati rider Yonny Hernandez had already secured one of the Aspar seats.
Saturday's announcement confirms Laverty will stay on for a second season in MotoGP as the Colombian's team-mate.
Martinez said the progress Ducati had made with its factory bikes since its recent restructuring was a factor in the change.
"Our first two years in MotoGP, 2010 and 2011, were quite positive alongside Ducati," he said.
"That was before the arrival of the CRT bikes, where we enjoyed lots of success.
"Through our time so far in MotoGP we have worked with Ducati, Aprilia and Honda. Now we return to Ducati, and without a doubt I am expecting we will have competitive bikes and great riders capable of scoring the kind of results we deserve, which is inside the top 10.
"Ducati have made big changes in recent times, in particular in their racing department in the hands of Gigi Dall'Igna.
"He's someone we have had an excellent relationship with for 20 years now.
"I have complete faith in his abilities, and that is definitely one of the reasons we have decided to work with Ducati once more in the future."
The Aspar deal gives Ducati a third customer team alongside Pramac and Avintia, giving it an eight-bike presence on the grid.
CONFIRMED 2016 MOTOGP LINE-UP SO FAR
Yamaha: Valentino Rossi, Jorge Lorenzo
Honda: Marc Marquez, Dani Pedrosa
Ducati: Andrea Iannone, Andrea Dovizioso
Suzuki: Aleix Espargaro, Maverick Vinales
Gresini Aprilia: Alvaro Bautista, Stefan Bradl
Tech 3 Yamaha: Bradley Smith, Pol Espargaro
LCR Honda: Cal Crutchlow
Marc VDS Honda: Tito Rabat, Jack Miller
Aspar Ducati: Yonny Hernandez,Eugene Laverty
Pramac Ducati: Danilo Petrucci, Scott Redding
Avintia Ducati: Loris Baz, Hector Barbera
Plans still tba: Forward, Ioda, AB
Phillip Island MotoGP: Marc Marquez flies to pole for Honda
Phillip Island MotoGP: Jorge Lorenzo frustrated with Andrea Iannone
Eugene Laverty to test for Aprilia in MotoGP alongside WSBK in 2017
Eugene Laverty to test for Aprilia in MotoGP alongside WSBK in 2017 Eugene Laverty to test for Aprilia in MotoGP alongside WSBK in 2017
Eugene Laverty needs MotoGP medical clearance to return to action
Eugene Laverty needs MotoGP medical clearance to return to action Eugene Laverty needs MotoGP medical clearance to return to action
Eugene Laverty to leave MotoGP for World Superbikes with Aprilia
Eugene Laverty to leave MotoGP for World Superbikes with Aprilia Eugene Laverty to leave MotoGP for World Superbikes with Aprilia
How Ducati could be the key to reviving Honda's MotoGP fortunes with Marquez
How Ducati could be the key to reviving Honda's MotoGP fortunes with Marquez How Ducati could be the key to reviving Honda's MotoGP fortunes with Marquez
Bagnaia's Misano MotoGP sprint podium "too important" after Barcelona crash
Bagnaia's Misano MotoGP sprint podium "too important" after Barcelona crash Bagnaia's Misano MotoGP sprint podium "too important" after Barcelona crash
The talent-outweighing ambition that will kill Ducati’s 2022 MotoGP title hopes
The talent-outweighing ambition that will kill Ducati’s 2022 MotoGP title hopes The talent-outweighing ambition that will kill Ducati’s 2022 MotoGP title hopes
FIA Rally Star finalist claims maiden outright podium
FIA Rally Star finalist claims maiden outright podium FIA Rally Star finalist claims maiden outright podium
Askew hopeful ECR test leads to IndyCar return
Askew hopeful ECR test leads to IndyCar return Askew hopeful ECR test leads to IndyCar return
Horner: "Fired up" Verstappen told me he would win F1 Japanese GP by 20 seconds
Horner: "Fired up" Verstappen told me he would win F1 Japanese GP by 20 seconds Horner: "Fired up" Verstappen told me he would win F1 Japanese GP by 20 seconds
Texas cites date clash in being dropped from 2024 IndyCar schedule
Texas cites date clash in being dropped from 2024 IndyCar schedule Texas cites date clash in being dropped from 2024 IndyCar schedule
Can anyone stop "changed" Bagnaia as Ducati tightens its grip on MotoGP?
Can anyone stop "changed" Bagnaia as Ducati tightens its grip on MotoGP? Can anyone stop "changed" Bagnaia as Ducati tightens its grip on MotoGP?
The signs that MotoGP's Japanese powerhouses are changing for the better
The signs that MotoGP's Japanese powerhouses are changing for the better The signs that MotoGP's Japanese powerhouses are changing for the better
The other Suzuki signing that could transform Honda's MotoGP form
The other Suzuki signing that could transform Honda's MotoGP form The other Suzuki signing that could transform Honda's MotoGP form
How the MotoGP paddock has offered refuge to Suzuki's former team
How the MotoGP paddock has offered refuge to Suzuki's former team How the MotoGP paddock has offered refuge to Suzuki's former team
How one MotoGP team went from title fights to losing it all in four years
How one MotoGP team went from title fights to losing it all in four years How one MotoGP team went from title fights to losing it all in four years
Is MotoGP's comeback king ready to reclaim his throne?
Is MotoGP's comeback king ready to reclaim his throne? Is MotoGP's comeback king ready to reclaim his throne?
How MotoGP’s underachiever is working to reverse its fortunes in 2023
How MotoGP’s underachiever is working to reverse its fortunes in 2023 How MotoGP’s underachiever is working to reverse its fortunes in 2023
How MotoGP riders are preparing for the physical stress of sprint races
How MotoGP riders are preparing for the physical stress of sprint races How MotoGP riders are preparing for the physical stress of sprint races
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.