The decision has been taken by Gigi dall’Igna. From the Valencia round of the 2014 season Cal will no longer be a factory Ducati rider. He is expected to move across to LCR Honda for the 2015 season, and insiders suggest that he will be on the same spec bike as Marquez and Pedrosa in the early part of the season.
This is thought to be saving Ducati between six and eight million Euro, and Cal has obviously received an amount he is happy with.
It’s far to say that whilst he’s giving it his all, Cal has been having a pretty torrid time aboard the red monster. A combination of bad luck and not suiting the bike have meant his season has been below his usual high standards. However things the the rest of the year are set to be even more interesting with Cal and Ducati together, but apart. Cal needs to prove he can still challenge up the sharp end, and he will be the first rider to beat for Dovi and Iannone.
However 2015 looks to be a great year for Brits, with Cal probably aboard the LCR Honda, and Redding if he plays he cards right aboard the factory Gresini Honda. If Smith keeps his Tech 3 that would be even better.
No official announcements have yet been made, but confirmation of this is expected soon.
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