Rossi's "love story" with Yamaha ends

Valentino Rossi described his decision to leave Fiat Yamaha for Ducati as the end of a "beautiful love story".

Ducati confirmed the reigning MotoGP world champion had signed a two-year contract to ride for the Italian team from 2011. Rossi will part company with Yamaha at the end of the current campaign, bringing to an end his hugely successful seven-season association with the team. He has won four MotoGP world titles with Japanese manufacturer Yamaha since joining the factory squad from Honda in 2004.

"It is very difficult to explain in just a few words what my relationship with Yamaha has been in these past seven years," said the 31-year-old.

"Many things have changed since that far-off time in 2004, but especially 'she', my M1, has changed. At that time she was a poor middle-grid position MotoGP bike, derided by most of the riders and the MotoGP workers.

"Now, after having helped her to grow and improve, you can see her smiling in her garage, courted and admired, treated as the 'top of the class'.

"Now the moment has come to look for new challenges; my work here at Yamaha is finished. Unfortunately even the most beautiful love stories finish, but they leave a lot of wonderful memories, like when my M1 and I kissed for the first time on the grass at Welkom, when she looked straight in my eyes and told me 'I love you!'"

Gabriele Del Torchio, president of Ducati Motor Holding: "We are delighted to announce that Valentino Rossi will be with us from 2011.

"He is a paragon of excellence in the world of motorcycling."

Filippo Preziosi, Ducati Corse general director, added: "Working with Valentino is one of the most exciting things for every engineer, and it's good to know we will have this great opportunity next season."

Lin Jarvis, managing director of Yamaha Motor Racing, paid tribute to the departing rider.

He said: "On behalf of the Yamaha Motor Group, I would like to express our sincere gratitude for the amazing seven years that we have spent together."

Yamaha are expected to draft in American Ben Spies as Rossi's replacement in the factory squad.

Spies' place in the satellite Tech 3 Yamaha team is likely to taken by Britain's Cal Crutchlow, who currently rides for the Japanese manufacturer in World Superbikes.