The Ducati Motologic Race Team has now confirmed their rider line-up for the 2010 Australian Superbike Series. Bringing the Ducati brand back to the grid will be two-time Australian Superbike Champion Jamie Stauffer and an emerging Superbike talent, Jordan Burgess. It has been 10 years since Ducati challenged the Australian Superbike title and the level of expectation for the brand’s success going into 2010 is understandably high given the irrefutable success of the brand in the World Superbike Series. It is for this reason that Motologic owner and Ducati Motologic Racing team manager Paul Free has entrusted the responsibility of racing the new Ducati 1198R in the Australian series to Stauffer and Burgess. Stauffer’s two Australian titles are not the only reason he will be piloting the 1198R this year. Throughout an extremely difficult year off the track in 2009, Stauffer demonstrated great strength of mind and a perseverance many would not have been able to achieve. This strength and his obvious prowess on the track will give the Ducati Motologic Race Team the edge it requires in the development of the 1198R as the newly formed team enters the season. Two-time Australian Superbike Champion, Jaime Stauffer: “I am really excited about joining forces with Motologic and Ducati. Motologic is a professionally run team lead by Paul Free who has a lot of experience in leading a team to victory. I feel that with a team of this calibre on a bike as successful in Superbike racing as Ducati, we definitely have a formula for a successful year. It is great to see Ducati back in the Australian Superbike Championship and I will do my best to have it at the front of the field. I am looking forward to testing the bike and competing in the first round of the ASBK at Phillip Island in February.” The other side of the Ducati Motologic pits houses Jordan Burgess who is emerging as one to watch in the Superbike class. In 2009 Burgess raced a Honda in the Superstock 1000 class on a bike prepared by Motologic. He raced under the Teterin Engineering banner and in his rookie year he took 2nd place in the Superstock 1000 class. Burgess not only shows a great degree of talent, but has also displayed terrific determination and focus in regards to his racing. Entering the 2010 season on the Ducati 1198R in the premier class is a challenge the 25 year old recognizes is not one to take lightly, yet appears more than ready to tackle. #33 Jordan Burgess: “To have the opportunity to ride for the Ducati Motologic Race Team is awesome and I feel particularly privileged to be part of the Ducati’s re-entrance into the Australian Superbike Championship for 2010. The Ducati 1198R is simply the best in terms of a race bike and has the track record on the world stage to prove it. I also feel honoured to be part of Paul Free’s Team, especially in my rookie Superbike year, as it is one of the most professional and successful race teams in Australia. To cap it all off I will have Jamie Stauffer as my team mate; a rider I have always admired. I am looking forward to working alongside him. I can’t wait to get on board the Ducati 1198R at Phillip Island for the World Superbikes in front of all the passionate Australian Ducati fans and give it my all!” Team owner and manager, Paul Free couldn’t be more pleased with the riders now contracted to re-introduce the Ducati brand to the Australian Championship. Free: “Choosing the right riders for the task is not an overnight process and a lot of consideration has gone into my decision to contract Jamie Stauffer and Jordan Burgess. I am extremely proud to have them representing the Ducati Motologic Race Team. I know the individual strengths and abilities of these riders as well as the hard work put in by the team will prove to be a force on the track as we develop the 1198R in the 2010 Australian Superbike Championship. Our goal is to win as many races as we can throughout 2010 and hopefully that brings the Superbike title at years end. We all have a steep learning curve in front of us, riders included, but I think that challenge is what motivates people in this industry in general, so we have plenty of motivation going into the World Superbike event at Phillip Island at the end of February.”