Jamie Stauffer has left Yamaha for Ducati and Motologic for 2010.

The Ducati Motologic Race Team has today confirmed its rider line-up for the 2010 Australian Superbike Championship, announcing that two-time series champion Jamie Stauffer and emerging Superbike talent Jordan Burgess will spearhead the team’s assault on the pair of 1198R Superbikes.

After finishing second and third in last year’s title chase with 2008 champion Glenn Allerton and Wayne Maxwell, as revealed on MotoOnline.com.au a number of weeks ago Motologic will feature an entirely new line-up for the new season, with expectations for success high considering the Ducati marque’s success in the Superbike World Championship.

“I am really excited about joining forces with Motologic and Ducati. Motologic is a professionally run team lead by Paul Free who has a lot of experience in leading a team to victory,” commented Stauffer, who finished second in last year’s Supersport series. “I feel that with a team of this calibre on a bike as successful in Superbike racing as Ducati, we definitely have a formula for a successful year.

“It is great to see Ducati back in the Australian Superbike Championship and I will do my best to have it at the front of the field. I am looking forward to testing the bike and competing in the first round of the ASBK at Phillip Island in February.”

For Burgess, it’s a dream come true to commence the season as a factory-backed Superbike rider, looking to build on experience after finishing second in last year’s Superstock 1000 Championship on a Motologic-supported Honda.

“To have the opportunity to ride for the Ducati Motologic Race Team is awesome and I feel particularly privileged to be part of the Ducati’s re-entrance into the Australian Superbike Championship for 2010,” the 25-year-old said. “The Ducati 1198R is simply the best in terms of a race bike and has the track record on the world stage to prove it. I also feel honoured to be part of Paul Free’s Team, especially in my rookie Superbike year, as it is one of the most professional and successful race teams in Australia.

“To cap it all off I will have Jamie Stauffer as my teammate – a rider I have always admired. I am looking forward to working alongside him and I can’t wait to get on board the Ducati 1198R at Phillip Island for the World Superbikes in front of all the passionate Australian Ducati fans and give it my all!”

Team owner and manager Paul Free couldn’t be more pleased with the riders now contracted to re-introduce the Ducati brand to the Australian Championship as part of his Motologic effort.

“Choosing the right riders for the task is not an overnight process and a lot of consideration has gone into my decision to contract Jamie Stauffer and Jordan Burgess,” Free explained. “I am extremely proud to have them representing the Ducati Motologic Race Team. I know the individual strengths and abilities of these riders as well as the hard work put in by the team will prove to be a force on the track as we develop the 1198R in the 2010 Australian Superbike Championship.

“Our goal is to win as many races as we can throughout 2010 and hopefully that brings the Superbike title at year’s end. We all have a steep learning curve in front of us, riders included, but I think that challenge is what motivates people in this industry in general, so we have plenty of motivation going into the World Superbike event at Phillip Island at the end of February.”