Ducati’s MotoGP and WSBK factory teams lost key senior managers. As both MotoGP project manager Livio Suppo and World Superbike team boss Davide Tardozzi have confirmed that they are leaving the Italian manufacturer.

Suppo, who has worked for Ducati for 11 years, will take a new role as Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) MotoGP marketing director. "I think sometimes in life you need new motivation." said Suppo. "And Honda is something that's very difficult to resist."

Meanwhile, Superbike boss Davide Tardozzi is leaving Ducati after more than 20 years, with no announcement on what he would go to. Some observers are saying that Ducati did forgive Tardozzi for not controlling rider Michel Fabrizio, when the team was in a position to help Noriyuke Haga win the 2009 SBK rider championship ahead of eventual winner Ben Spies on a Yamaha.

Tardozzi oversaw a period of unprecedented Ducati successes, with Superbike titles for Carl Fogarty (4), Troy Bayliss (3), Troy Corser (1), Neil Hodgson (1) and James Toseland (1).