Capirossi emotional ahead of finale

The Italian will leave the team after five years to ride for Suzuki next year, but he is hoping to build on his recent strong results to finish the relationship on a high.

"It will be quite an emotional weekend for me," said the 34-year-old. "We already have many great memories from the last five seasons.

"Valencia will be a very big weekend for me and for everyone else involved in this project."

Capirossi has endured a tough season this year while Casey Stoner has won Ducati's first MotoGP title, but he says that he still looks back on his time with the manufacturer with fond memories.

"It is my last race for this team after five incredible years, so now my job is to try and finish my time with Ducati in the best way," he added.

"There have been some tough times, of course, but it is the good times that I want to remember - scoring Ducati's first MotoGP podium in our first race together at Suzuka in 2003, and then Ducati's first win at Catalunya that year.

"Also, my hat-trick of victories at Motegi over the past three years. Incredible memories."