The famed Italian superbike racer Valentino Rossi, 33, is expected to leave Ducati following a long losing streak. So disillusioned is he that sources state that Rossi is even prepared to join Yamaha as their No. 2 rider to current ruling Jorge Lorenzo. Rossi is also prepared to forfeit his $40 million two year offer with Ducati owners Audi so as to get back to Yamaha in a bid to recover from recent losses and ride a bike that permits him to gain his rightful position in the lineup.
As per present world championship standings, Lorenzo has won 5 out of 10 races this season and is in a 32 point lead ahead of Casey Stoner of Honda. Rossi is troubled by his performance in Ducati for some time. This was further accentuated at last Sunday's US GP when he crashed out from 8th place with only three laps remaining.
Though sources state that Rossi will be taking final decisions this summer break to decide whether to stay with Ducati or switch sides, it is also estimated that Rossi is 80% sure of him joining Yamaha in the upcoming season. His final decision will lie if and when Audi announces engineering upgrades which will make their Ducati faster and more competitive.
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