Spanish rider Sete Gibernau will ride for the Ducati works team in the 2006 MotoGP world championship.

The 32-year-old, who has ridden for Honda for the last three seasons, will replace fellow Spaniard Carlos Checa and ride alongside Italian Loris Capirossi.

"After achieving some great results and much satisfaction during the last few years, and after a season at the highest level but with some difficulties, I decided to make a change in my career", Gibernau said.

Ducati president Federico Minoli said he was delighted with the team's new recruit.

"We think Sete is one of the strongest guys in MotoGP," he said.

"He's a talented, gritty and courageous rider. Sete has had a difficult season this year but he has shown throughout that he never gives up, in the best Ducati spirit. For this reason we're very proud to have him in our 2006 line-up alongside Loris."

Gibernau was forced out of the season-ending Valencia Grand Prix after the engine blew on his Honda and had to settle for seventh place in the world championship won by Valentino Rossi.

He finished as runner-up to Rossi in 2003 and 2004.