Randy de Puniet looks like he’s been left out in the cold regarding a MotoGP ride for the 2012 season.
The French rider was rumored to be heading to LCR Honda, but newly crowned Moto2 champion Stefan Bradl has taken precedence over the veteran GP rider.
De Puniet also had a great test at Valencia on the Suzuki 800cc machine, but the Japanese manufacturer is almost certain to withdraw from the championship next season, leaving him without a ride and after having previously admitted that he isn’t interested in riding a Moto2 nor a CRT bike and doesn’t want to head to World Superbikes unless he has a very competitive team, this obviously doesn’t leave many options.
However the latest rumor coming from Italy is that Ducati is still interested in keeping the talented French rider, but in another capacity – as a test rider – de Puniet would help in the development work of the new GP12 and being much faster than both Franco Battaini or Vitto Guareschi (and often faster that the factory riders) could wring out more from the 1000cc bike before handing it over to Valentino Rossi and Nicky Hayden.
De Puniet’s role wouldn’t only be as a test rider but he’d also be on call as a replacement rider for any Ducati rider who could unfortunately skip a race due to injury.
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