Spaniard Sete Gibernau will come out of retirement to compete in the 2009 MotoGP championship with Ducati, the twice world runner-up has said.
Gibernau retired in November 2006 after an injury-plagued season following a spectacular crash in Catalunya, having lost his ride with Ducati.
His best performances were in 2003 and 2004 when he finished second behind Italy’s Valentino Rossi in the world title race.
“I’m excited about what it means to be a MotoGP rider, I’ve come back to enjoy it again and it’s a good opportunity for me. That’s my main goal; to enjoy riding. I’m still open to learning again, even at 35,” said Gibernau, whose comeback came as a result of a chain of circumstances begun by a visit to this year’s race at Barcelona. The Spaniard agreed an initial one-off test with Ducati in Mugello, which he repeated on further occasions as a return became more viable.
Whilst the decision to re-enter the World Championship was ultimately an easy one for Gibernau, he doesn´t expect it to be plain sailing. Having followed two seasons of racing as a spectator, he has seen the new generation of riders come through, as well as already knowing just how difficult it is to be competitive at the highest level.
The Spaniard, a former European champion in the 250cc class, admitted he was going to have his work cut out for him.
“I have a lot of respect for them and I have to be conscious that it’s going to be difficult. I’m going to have to work very hard and I’m ready for that.”
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