Gibernau expecting tough challenge

The Spaniard's comeback with the new Onde 2000 Ducati team was confirmed in a launch event at Valencia today. His last race in the series was in Portugal in 2006, after which he chose to retire having lost his Ducati ride.

But following some impressive tests for Ducati this summer, the nine-time grand prix winner has decided to re-enter the sport.

Gibernau believes MotoGP has become even more competitive in his absence, but says he is ready for the challenge.

"I have been watching, and I've been impressed with the riders," he told the official MotoGP website. "I have a lot of respect coming back. I know what it takes.

"I know the level of all the riders in MotoGP and I have to be conscious that it's going to be very difficult for me, and I know that. I'm going to have to work very hard and I'm ready for it.

"Of course I am nervous, because the level of riders in MotoGP has increased a lot, and there's young riders coming through very fast. I can only say I'll give 100 per cent. Where I go from that, only time will let us know."

He said he had no regrets about announcing his retirement following his unhappy and injury-blighted 2006 season.

"I did it absolutely 100 per cent knowing what I was doing, and I would do it again," Gibernau said. "And now I'm back, 100 per cent knowing what I'm doing.

"Life puts you in different positions, and it's up to every one of us to enjoy the best of each moment. I'm really enjoying this moment, as I did the time when I left MotoGP. I was looking for a different life, and now life puts me in a different position."

Gibernau said he had no expectation that his initial tests wth Ducati earlier this year would lead to a fully-fledged comeback.

"The first test I just wanted to see if I enjoyed racing a motorcycle again, and I did," he said. "After that I wanted to see where I was able to be in terms of lap time, which at the end of day is what counts in this game.

"I started to be competitive and I enjoyed it, both things came together, and then I decided, 'okay, let's see what happens'. Then all this started to come up with this new team, which is very exciting.

"I hope that I can also bring some good experience to the team, that we can enjoy what we're doing, and we can make a team that is progressing every time. Hopefully if we learn, enjoy and work, we'll have good results."