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 team´s official presentation in Valencia, Gibernau explained his motivation for a return to competition after two seasons on the sidelines.
`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.
I´ve been watching and I´ve been impressed with the riders. 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,´ he concluded.
To celebrate Gibernau´s 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...GP+in+Valencia
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Originally Posted by R6_kid
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