Ducati likely to lease rather than sell

Ducati is unlikely to go ahead with the sale of Open class Desmosedicis for the 2015 MotoGP season.

The initial plan was announced during Ducati's pre-season launch.

"We have in our mind to develop and sell to teams in 2015 a bike that will cost a similar amount to the competitors," Ducati Corse general manager Gigi Dall'Igna had said.

Instead more leased machines could be on the grid next year, with Ducati MotoGP project director Paolo Ciabatti (pictured) telling Crash.net in Catalunya: "We are considering now what to do for next year. We are more thinking about a leasing package, not any more to sell the bikes. Similar to our relationship with Pramac."

In terms of 2015 machine numbers, the Italian added: "I think we will have four or six bikes."

Honda is presently the only manufacturer to offer Open class machines for sale, with the pace-setting Forward Yamaha of Aleix Espargaro using a leased M1 engine, frame and swingarm.

Ducati intended to move all of its entries to the Open category this year, to avoid the Factory development freeze. However revised rules meant the Desmosedicis, two in the official team and two at Pramac, were allowed to stay as Factory entries, but with the Open class benefits.

Unlike the normal Open class, Ducati will lose two of the four litres of extra fuel if they achieve a race win, two second places or three (dry) podiums before 2016. They will also lose the softer rear tyre if they claim three race wins.

The same rules will apply for Suzuki during its MotoGP return next season.

Ducati has taken one podium so far this year. The 2015 bike will be the first complete machine designed by former Aprilia Racing boss Dall'Igna.