Sete Gibernau returns to MotoGP next year and has admitted to not being in good shape. He will start an intensive training programme to build the fitness level needed to ride the Ducati Desmosedici in the new Onde 2000 team.

Sete said:“In Valencia I was sore all over. I am still in good shape but you can do whatever you want at home, but being bike fit is completely different. You use muscles you haven’t used for two years. I got tired quite tired but mentally I think I’m good. It is a huge challenge for me to come back, but I want to prove to myself and maybe to other guys around my age that we can still do it at this level.”

For Ducati, Sete Gibernau could prove to be very important for Ducati next year, giving feedback to other Ducati riders from his experience.

Source | mcn

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The MotoGP 2009 looks like it could be an exciting season, with plenty of expectations about riders, a new world champion and some new challengers looking for their moment of glory, too. Former World Championship rider Randy Mamola has discussed his point of view regarding Nicky Hayden, Sete Gibernau and Ducati.

Randy is sure that Nicky has still got a long way to go in making a smooth transition to the Ducati Desmosedici 09. He said: “Basically the Desmosedici works by getting it to full throttle as soon as possible and letting the electronics do the rest. [Everybody has] enjoyed seeing Nicky light the Honda up around that long left-hander but you only had to see him through there on the Monday to see that the Ducati doesn’t allow him to do it, because it has a much more narrow power band.”

Mamola also believes that Ducati needs to make their bikes easier to ride otherwise they will have all four riders struggling. The position from Sete Gibernau in giving feedback could be crucial in getting the bike to fit the different rider styles. It will be interesting to see how Ducati’s fortunes develop next year.

Source | motogp

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Valentino Rossi and Sete Gibernau might battle again in 2009. The season will see Valentino riding his Fiat Yamaha MotoGP bike, while Sete will ride the Ducati Onde 2000 bike.

Rossi and Gibernau had some great battles during the 2004 season and at the Spanish MotoGP in 2005, in Jerez, one battle ended at the dramatic final corner with Sete finishing on the gravel.

Rossi is happy with the return and is looking forward to racing again against Sete. He said: “I am sorry I didn’t see Sete on the track when we tested in Valencia because I think it’s quite a big emotion for us to be together on the track again after all our great battles. I am happy to see him back. We spoke a little bit in the summer when he was thinking about coming back and I’m looking forward to racing him again.”

Rossi will defend his world title and said his biggest treat will come from Casey Stoner, Dani Pedrosa and his team mate Jorge Lorenzo.

source | mcn

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Onde 2000 Ducati’s Sete Gibernau says he had a perfect first day back on a MotoGP bike at the Valencia test and spent most of his laps re-getting to know the circuit.

“It was three years ago when I last rode in Valencia, I had to make myself comfortable again riding on this track, but I had great fun and really enjoyed it,” said Gibernau.

“We haven’t done any changes on the bike; we just simply did a very basic set up. We have only used two tires and marked the times with one tire during the first thirty five laps. I think this is very good since I think we are not going to have many tires this season.

“I think the overall balance was very positive especially because it was a very general set up for the whole team and a chance to get to know each other. As a first day I believe it has been perfect.” The Spaniard managed a 1′34.451 lap on the satellite Desmosedici GP9.

Source| Motociclismo.es

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You can see Sete Gibernau’s new bike in this picture, isn’t it great? MotoGP.com was able to have a look at the bike before the official news arrived announcing Sete will ride with the Onde 2000 team next year. Gibernau has chosen the number 59 in reference to 1959, the year his grandfather’s company produced their first bike.

After we reported in September that Gibernau had signed, Visordown also reports Sete will join the second satellite Ducati team sponsored by Onde 2000 and managed by Pablo Nieto, son of the legendary Angel Nieto. In August the Spanish rider went for several test sessions with the Ducati Desmosedici.

Source | motogp and visordown

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As the battle between Rossi and Stoner continues, we should remember it’s hard to race against Valentino. Stoner won the fight against Rossi last year, the package from Ducati was very strong with the Desmosedici, the Bridgestone tyres and the rider, Casey Stoner. But it’s not easy to fight against a seven times Italian World Champion. Don’t forget the way Sete Gibernau and Max Biaggi have tried before to win and they lost. Not only because of the package from Valentino, also because of the smile on Rossi’s face, the way he can handle the media and all the fans in the world.

Dani Pedrosa will ride next round also with the Bridgestone tyres and we are all excited about it. Dani’s test run on the Bridgestones last week was good, he was fast. But Rossi comments and warns Dani to be patient and careful.

Casey is not thinking anymore about this year, he’s looking at next year. If next year only one tyre brand will be used, the advantage for the 2008 Bridgestone riders could be less. The only advantage is the telemetry, the information they are getting in this year’s competition on every racetrack.

The other question is all about safety, called: corner speed. What changes will be made? And how will best engineers will find again the solution to increase it?

Photo | Ducati Corse

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During the presentation from Arai helmets in Spain, a spokesman said by accident that Sete Gibernau had already signed a contract with Ducati.

A Dutch journalist from the magazine “Moto73” was present and contacted his office.

It’s all about the 5th Ducati GP8: Ducati will start with a new team. It could be the Onde 2000 Team, this year riding in the 125cc class, managed by brothers Pablo and Gelete Nieto.

According to Spanish media, the contract has not yet been signed.

Source | moto73

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Sete Gibernau wants to return to MotoGP and he hopes to return to Ducati, possibly in the Ducati satellite team?

Ducati has just confirmed it can supply five bikes in MotoGP. With the impending introduction of a one-make tyre rule, Ducati could scrap its test team and use the bike in competition. Perhaps a new team is born.

Factory team boss Livio Suppo told MCN a deal could be finalised for a fifth bike and even this week, he said: “For the fifth bike we will know more next week. Things are moving and for the rider line-up I am hoping within the next week will have a clearer understanding.”

So, let’s wait a few days more and we will know more about the return from Sete Gibernau, if Nieto will sign and if Toni Elias will stay at the Ducati Alice team after his latest podiums during the last races!

Via | MCN

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