Marco Simoncelli weighing up MotoGP options.

Reigning 250cc world champion Marco Simoncelli is weighing up his options for a move to the MotoGP class next season.

The Metis Gilera rider is believed to have been offered a satellite Ducati ride for this season, but decided to try and defend his title in the hope of a more competitive offer.

Unfortunately, the new rule banning rookies from entering the premier-class with a factory team - unless it is with Suzuki, which has no satellite outfit - has complicated things.

"I think that I will go to MotoGP; having spoken a little with everyone I am now evaluating the situation. It is still to be decided, let's say," Simoncelli told the official MotoGP website.

"Apart from Suzuki, the impossibility of a rookie riding for a factory team next year has changed the plans," he admitted. "What happens with the other possibilities remains to be seen."

Simoncelli's comments seem to suggest that Aprilia's hopes of tempting the young Italian to the World Superbike Championship look slim at best.

Meanwhile, Simoncelli's 250cc rival Alvaro Bautista is also predicted to make the step up to the premier-class next year, possibly on M1 machinery run by his present Aspar team.

Another 2009 race winner, Hiroshi Aoyama, could also have a chance of an 800cc ride, while Yamaha's WSBK star Ben Spies has also been linked to a 2010 MotoGP seat.

The leading satellite MotoGP team after five of 17 rounds, and therefore the theoretical top target (alongside Suzuki) for any future class rookies, is the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 outfit.