Filippo Preziosi resigns from Ducati

Filippo Preziosi, who led the design of Ducati's Desmosedici MotoGP machine from its 2003 debut until the end of 2012, is to leave Ducati Motor Holding.

Preziosi was replaced as General Manager of Ducati Corse at the end of last year - part of a series of management changes in the aftermath of Valentino Rossi's winless partnership with Ducati - and given an alternative role as Director of R&D at Ducati Motor Holding.

However Ducati has announced that Preziosi, confined to a wheelchair, is to resign due to health reasons.

"Engineer, Filippo Preziosi, has communicated his intention to resign from his position at Ducati Motor Holding," read a Ducati statement.

"Declaring reasons of poor health related to his particular physical condition, Preziosi's resignation was accepted by Ducati, saddened and disappointed to lose such an accomplished and strategic member of staff.

"The company respectfully acknowledges the 45-year old Italian's decision and thanks him for his significant contribution during his 19 years with Ducati, 12 of which were within Ducati Corse.

"Previously occupying the role of General Manager of Ducati Corse, Preziosi, was appointed Director of Research and Development of Ducati Motor Holding at the end of 2012 and was to start his new role after a period of rest.

"An announcement of the successor to this strategic role, now left vacant by the resignation, will be communicated in due course."

Under Preziosi's design leadership, the Desmosedici took 31 MotoGP wins and one world title.

Casey Stoner claimed 23 victories and the 2007 championship, with Loris Capirossi taking seven wins, plus one further win for Troy Bayliss. However the success dried up following Stoner's departure, with Ducati scoring just three podiums during the past two seasons.

Bernhard Gobmeier, former Superbike Director with BMW, replaced Preziosi as General Manager of Ducati Corse.