From a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

Marlboro Valencia Grand Prix, Valencia
Sunday October 31 2004

CHECA JOINS DUCATI MARLBORO TEAM FOR 2005

Carlos Checa will join the Ducati Marlboro Team for the 2005 MotoGP World Championship. The rapid Spaniard will partner Loris Capirossi, whose third year with the red team was confirmed earlier this season, aboard factory Ducati Marlboro Team Desmosedici GP5s.

Checa brings a wealth of speed and enthusiasm to the Italian-based squad, which is looking forward to working with one of the most experienced riders in the premier class. He has raced in the big class since 1995 and is keen to commence his new job of continuing the development of the factory’s impressive V4.

In fact Checa will have his first chance to ride the bike during tests at Valencia tomorrow, Monday November 1. He will continue to get to know the machine in further tests at Wednesday and Thursday, working alongside Capirossi on development for the 2005 season.

Checa’s arrival at the Ducati Marlboro Team means that today’s Marlboro Valencia Grand Prix will be Troy Bayliss’ last race for the squad. The Australian’s departure was announced at the Australian GP two weeks ago.

“Troy is undoubtedly one of the most important riders in the history of Ducati,” commented Ducati Corse CEO Claudio Domenicali. “Together we have enjoyed some great successes, so I’d like to say a big thank you to him, from myself and everyone else at Ducati. Troy has ridden Ducatis for the last seven years, the last five with the factory team, so maybe it’s time for both of us to try new challenges.

“Carlos is a very fast and highly motivated rider, we’re proud to have him on our team, and we’re sure that his experience will be crucial in helping us to continue moving forward. He will ride the bike for the first tomorrow so he will immediately be involved with the development of the GP5. Finally I’d like to say thank you to Yamaha for allowing Carlos to start working with us right away.”