Another article of denial...
Soup :: Will He Or Won't He? Only Valentino Knows For Sure :: 08-04-2010
After a quote from Ducati CEO Gabriele Del Torchio surfaced in Cycle World stating that he was looking forward to Valentino Rossi and Nicky Hayden on Marlboro Ducatis in 2011, Ducati has issued a frank denial that Del Torchio ever said anything like that.
At Laguna Seca MotoGP, high ranking Yamaha execs said that as far as they were aware, Rossi had not yet signed a contract with anyone and that because of the right of first refusal clause in his current contract with Yamaha, they would know.
Sources close to Hayden said earlier this week that there was no news on his 2011 contract.
Ducati's Statement:
Regarding the recent allegations attributed to Gabriele Del Torchio - Ducati CEO and President, Ducati states that no agreement has been reached with the riders Valentino Rossi and Nicky Hayden for the future Moto GP season, although our interest in these riders remains.
We would like to say that the recent news which has appeared on the US website Cycle World and other websites has been misreported and must be attributed to the many rumors circulating lately.
Whether and when an agreement is reached, official press releases will be issued.