Official: Gibernau joins Ducati.

The first piece in the remaining 2006 MotoGP rider line-up has fallen into place with the official announcement that Sete Gibernau has finally signed to leave Honda and ride for the Ducati Marlboro Team.

The Spaniard, runner-up to Valentino Rossi in the 2003 and 2004 seasons before a combination of misfortune and mistakes left him winless this year, will join double 2005 race winner Loris Capirossi, who renewed his contract with the Bridgestone shod squad just before September's Japanese GP.

"After achieving some great results and much satisfaction during the last few years, and after a season at the highest level but with some difficulties, I decided to make a change in my career," explained Gibernau, a nine-times 500cc/MotoGP race winner.

"First of all I want to thank the people who helped me achieve so many good results. But now it's time to find some new motivation. The professionalism and enthusiasm I've found at Ducati are what made me decide to join forces with the factory.

"I face this new challenge with real determination, convinced that together we can achieve great success. In recent years Ducati has shown that it has big ambitions and huge potential. I trust that, with my experience, I can make a real contribution to turn our shared dreams into reality," concluded the #15, who retired from third in Sunday's Valencia Grand Prix after an engine failure.

"I'm delighted to welcome Sete," added Federico Minoli, president of Ducati Motor Holding. "We think Sete is one of the strongest guys in MotoGP. He's a talented, gritty and courageous rider. Sete has had a difficult season this year but he has shown throughout that he never gives up, in the best Ducati spirit.

"For this reason we're very proud to have him in our 2006 line-up alongside Loris. They are both very strong riders and we'll do everything we can to give them what they need to obtain the best possible results," he declared.

Gibernau, who took five pole positions this season, replaces Carlos Checa - who completed his time with the Ducati Marlboro Team with fourth place in Valencia.

"It's always difficult to welcome someone while saying goodbye to someone else," said Minoli. "I want to sincerely thank Carlos for the commitment and professionalism he's shown us. For sure he's a great rider and also a nice guy; working with him has been a great pleasure."

Gibernau was also in talks with Camel Honda for a 2006 ride, but Checa may now get one of the two available Pons seats instead.