Capirossi to race with Pramac in 2011

The veteran Italian rider will thus be riding a Ducati again from next year, having competed with the works team before joining Suzuki in 2008.

Capirossi will join Pramac in the post-season test at Valencia after getting permission from his current team.

"This return on a Ducati bike makes me feel like a child," said Capirossi. "I do not feel my 37 years! I have a great desire to start this new adventure, I'm enormously pleased about this new agreement that was reached with the Pramac Racing Team, this will allow me to ride and be part of an Italian team.

"I would like to thank the Paolo Campinoti for giving me this great opportunity and for the confidence placed in me. I'll find again the Ducati, with which I had very good results over the past years and that I was able to develop in 2007, this is a unique sensation for me."

Capirossi, the most experienced rider in MotoGP history, has won 29 races and has scored 99 podiums since 1990.