R6_kid
24th October 2008, 23:23
Sete Gibernau was officially unveiled as a participant in the 2009 MotoGP World Championship on Thursday evening, confirming his comeback as part of the new Onde 2000 Ducati project.
The former MotoGP World Championship runner-up will ride with the number 59 in the upcoming campaign. Speaking at the teamīs official presentation in Valencia, Gibernau explained his motivation for a return to competition after two seasons on the sidelines.
`Iīm excited about what it means to be a MotoGP rider, Iīve come back to enjoy it again and itīs a good opportunity for me. Thatīs my main goal; to enjoy riding. Iīm still open to learning again, even at 35,ī said Gibernau, whose comeback came as a result of a chain of circumstances begun by a visit to this yearīs 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 doesnīt 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.
Iīve been watching and Iīve been impressed with the riders. I have a lot of respect for them and I have to be conscious that itīs going to be difficult. Iīm going to have to work very hard and Iīm ready for that,ī he concluded.
To celebrate Gibernauīs return, motogp.com has put together a special video which accompanies this piece, in addition to footage of his return press conference.
http://www.motogp.com/en/photos/2008/Sete+Gibernau+announces+his+return+to+MotoGP+in+Va lencia
The former MotoGP World Championship runner-up will ride with the number 59 in the upcoming campaign. Speaking at the teamīs official presentation in Valencia, Gibernau explained his motivation for a return to competition after two seasons on the sidelines.
`Iīm excited about what it means to be a MotoGP rider, Iīve come back to enjoy it again and itīs a good opportunity for me. Thatīs my main goal; to enjoy riding. Iīm still open to learning again, even at 35,ī said Gibernau, whose comeback came as a result of a chain of circumstances begun by a visit to this yearīs 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 doesnīt 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.
Iīve been watching and Iīve been impressed with the riders. I have a lot of respect for them and I have to be conscious that itīs going to be difficult. Iīm going to have to work very hard and Iīm ready for that,ī he concluded.
To celebrate Gibernauīs return, motogp.com has put together a special video which accompanies this piece, in addition to footage of his return press conference.
http://www.motogp.com/en/photos/2008/Sete+Gibernau+announces+his+return+to+MotoGP+in+Va lencia