MOTOGP » NICCOLO CANEPA
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Niccolo Canepa, Ducati's 2007 Superstock 1000 FIM Cup champion, impressed in his role as Ducati/Bridgestone test rider last season, often outpacing the factory's regular grand prix riders - with the notable exception of world champion Casey Stoner - to secure a grand prix ride with the Pramac team for 2009.
The 20-year-old also made a wild-card appearance at the Czech Republic round of the World Superbike championship, qualifying a third 1098F08 sixth on the grid, but finished just 13th in race one and retired from race two.
Canepa's signing means that Ducati will maintain its tradition of fielding at least one Italian rider, since entering MotoGP in 2003.
MOTOGP DEBUT IN 2009.
