Ducati disappointed with Alvaro Bautista’s Suzuki decision

Ducati boss Livio Suppo has spoken of his disappointment that Alvaro Bautista shunned the chance to ride a GP10 next year.
The 24-year-old turned down the chance to ride in the new Aspar Ducati squad for Jorge Martinez and instead clinched a two-year deal with Suzuki’s factory team at last weekend’s Czech Republic GP in Brno.
Not even the prospect of a move to Ducati’s factory team in 2011 could sway Bautista’s decision, and he is expected to partner Italian veteran Loris Capirossi next season.
Ducati had hoped by clinching a lease deal with Martinez that it would enable them to capture long-term target Bautista.
But his move to Suzuki is the second time the former 125GP champion has rejected the chance to join Ducati after he declined an offer in 2008.
Suppo told MCN: “I have liked Alvaro for at least two years and of course I am sorry that he will not be riding for us. When we signed the deal with Aspar, it was hoping that Alvaro would be the rider. We told them he was the priority, so it is a little bit disappointing.”
Hector Barbera has signed a deal with Martinez.