“I have been watching, and I've been impressed with the riders. I have a lot of respect coming back. I know what it takes. I know the level of all the riders in MotoGP and I have to be conscious that it's going to be very difficult for me, and I know that. I'm going to have to work very hard and I'm ready for it,” said Gibernau in an interview for MotoGP News.
The Spaniard decided to quit MotoGP racing 2 years ago after a disappointing season with Ducati works team. Unlike other riders that had retired from the queen class and chose to run in the World Superbike or certain Supersport championships, Gibernau took these 2 years off completely. Nevertheless, after some successful testing sessions with the Italian manufacturer earlier this season, he secured a customer seat with newcomers Onde 2000 Team.
“The first test I just wanted to see if I enjoyed racing a motorcycle again, and I did. After that I wanted to see where I was able to be in terms of lap time, which at the end of day is what counts in this game. I started to be competitive and I enjoyed it, both things came together, and then I decided, 'okay, let's see what happens'. Then all this started to come up with this new team, which is very exciting,” added the 36-year old.
With the new Onde 2000 Team stepping into MotoGP next season, Ducati will have no less than 5 bikes on the grid in 2009. Pramac Racing have already agreed on remaining Ducati's satellite team for next year, with both Mika Kallio and Niccolo Canepa set to make their debut at the queen class.
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