Davide Tardozzi, SBK project manager, leaves the historic Bologna-based company to seek new professional challenges.

Ducati, at the end of the 2009 Superbike season, and thanks to this year's World Manufacturers Championship win, has amassed 16 such titles in this category. An important and significant accomplishment, in which Tardozzi's role has been fundamental. In Ducati since 1999, first as Team Manager and more recently, since 2007, as the SBK project manager, Tardozzi leaves the company having grown professionally and having contributing greatly to the success of the Italian firm.

"Davide has been part of Ducati's recent history", commented Claudio Domenicali, General Director of Ducati, "a friend and, at the same time, an important presence that has allowed Ducati to achieve significant successes, particularly in the World Superbike Championship where, in recent years, he has project managed with passion, competence and professionalism. We are sorry to announce that Davide will not be part of the 2010 team but, at the same time, we wish him our very best wishes for the new challenges that await him, and thank him for the many years of service during which we have won and lost together.

In the Ducati Xerox Team, Ernesto Marinelli, currently technical director of the squad, will take over Davide's role as SBK project manager.