Ducati and two-time MotoGP World Champion Casey Stoner will end their relationship at the end of 2018.

Ducati announced today that Stoner will not continue his test rider role within the team.

Stoner re-joined the Italian team in 2016 as a test rider and brand ambassador.

However, he has not ridden this year’s GP18 bike since January testing in Sepang due to an operation on his right shoulder.

Stoner thanked the Ducati team in a statement released today: “I want to thank Ducati for the great memories and especially the support and enthusiasm of the Ducati fans for our shared passion for racing and motorcycling, I’ll always remember this.

“Over the past three years I have really enjoyed doing my job with the test team, the engineers and technicians, as we worked towards improving the Desmosedici GP package and I sincerely want to wish the team all the very best for their future endeavours.”

Claudio Domenicali, Ducati CEO, commented on the end of the relationship and said: “Casey is and will always remain in the hearts of Ducatisti and it is also on their behalf that we wish to thank him for the important collaboration he has offered us over the last three years.

“His technical indications and suggestions, together with the work and the feedback of the factory riders and Michele Pirro, have helped to make the Desmosedici GP one of the most competitive bikes on the grid, and his advice for the development of our production bikes has been just as precious and useful.

“Ducati and its many fans wish to offer their sincere thanks and their best wishes to Casey and his family for a serene and happy future.”