"We'd like to give a warm welcome to Michel who is a talented young rider and who in our opinion has not yet expressed all of his considerable potential," declared Ducati Corse Superbike Project Leader, Davide Tardozzi. "2008 will surely be an important season for him, seeing as for the first time he is part of a factory team. All of us here in Ducati Corse would like to thank
Lorenzo Lanzi for the commitment he has demonstrated in these years, and for the popularity he has been able to create with all the many Ducati tifosi".
Lanzi's poor results during his two seasons as a factory rider - just three podiums and no wins - left Ducati with little choice but to sign a replacement, with BSB star Jonathan Rea also targeted for the coveted seat.
While Ducati are clearly planning for the post-Bayliss era - the great Australian is expected to retire at the end of next season - some may express surprise that the factory has 'gambled' on Fabrizio, given Lanzi's problems, and when proven BSB, WSBK and even
MotoGP race winners were available.
The lack of a strong second rider at Ducati was perfectly illustrated this season when injuries and incidents left Bayliss - and therefore Ducati - out of title contention. Nevertheless, if Fabrizio excels in the factory environment Ducati can rightfully boast that it has developed home grown talent to the highest level and spotted a future star.
