Capirossi has been part of Ducati's MotoGP project ever since its 2003 debut and claimed several significant landmarks - including the factory's first MotoGP podium and first win.

Prior to this season, Loris was also considered the rider most likely to claim the ultimate goal of a Ducati MotoGP crown - having led the 2006 championship heading into round seven at Catalunya, when he and team-mate Sete Gibernau disastrously collided into turn one.

But the switch to 800cc machines for 2007 saw Loris unable to continue that momentum and his position as Ducati's unofficial number one was soon lost to young team-mate Casey Stoner. While Stoner stormed to world championship glory, Capirossi struggled to feel comfortable on the GP7 and knew as early as Laguna Seca that his factory seat had been lost.

Nevertheless, Capirossi finally broke his 2007 victory duck at Motegi and is aiming to stand on the podium for one final time as a Desmosedici rider this weekend in Spain, before starting a new challenge at Rizla Suzuki.

"Valencia will be a very big weekend for me and for everyone else involved in this project," began Capirossi. "It is my last race for this team after five incredible years. Last year we had a great weekend there - I finished second and Troy [Bayliss] won the race for the team - so I hope we can do something like that again.

"It will be quite an emotional weekend for me because we already have many great memories from the last five seasons, there have been some tough times, of course, but it is the good times that I want to remember: scoring Ducati's first MotoGP podium in our first race together at Suzuka in April 2003 and then Ducati's first win at Catalunya in June 2003, also my hat-trick of victories at Motegi over the past three years. Incredible memories!

"So now my job is to try and finish my time with Ducati in the best way. Valencia is quite a tough track on a MotoGP bike - slow and tight - so it's very hard work. We will work on the engine and chassis to get the best performance and aim to repeat my recent form at Motegi and Phillip Island," he concluded.

Fellow Italian Marco Melandri will replace Capirossi for the 2008 season.