Ducati Eyes Grooming Simoncelli and Canepa
Speaking about Ducati’s plans for the Pramac satellite team, Suppo confirmed that an offer had been made to young Italian Marco Simoncelli, who currently leads the 250cc world championship.
Finland’s Mika Kallio, also contending for the 250cc title, has for two months been a leading contender for a place at Pramac Ducati and is favored to move to MotoGP.
“We have made an offer of what a contract could be to Simoncelli and it’s the same with Kallio and some other riders,” Suppo said. “But speaking with Marco it seems he may prefer to stay in 250s.”
Paddock wisdom suggests that Simoncelli’s thoughts on staying in 250s may have changed with the strength of the financial incentive
to join Pramac in MotoGP.
And the prospects of Ducati promoting super-fast test rider Niccolo Canepa to MotoGP via the Pramac junior squad continue to gain momentum. With Simoncelli, Kallio, Canepa, and Sete Gibernau on the list Ducati have a wide choice.
Suppo said, “In some ways it makes sense to give Niccolo a chance in MotoGP; he is a big talent and with more space to grow, but we must find the best way to do this without too much pressure.”
Suppo added the Canepa’s performance in the two-day test following the Brno race would be used as an assessment of Canepa’s performance against the top MotoGP riders.
Other options that have been rumored for Canepa are a season in 250s in 2009 to learn the MotoGP circuits or a place with the Ducati WSB squad.
