Capirossi announces he’s leaving Ducati

MotoGP rider Loris Capirossi announced Thursday that he will leave Ducati at the end of this season and join Suzuki. The Italian driver signed a one-year contract with Suzuki, with an option for 2009.

"I'm pleased with these five years at Ducati because they were exciting seasons and we won some great races together," Capirossi was quoted as saying by Italian media. "But the time has come to change and try something new.

"I have to thank Suzuki, which has welcomed me with a lot of enthusiasm and promised me full support. For now, though, the important thing is to finish this season well because until December I'm still a Ducati driver."