Valentino Rossi is to return next season to the MotoGP team that helped him win four of his world titles. After two unsuccessful years at Ducati, the Italian manufacturer yesterday confirmed Rossi would be leaving at the end of the current season.

Yamaha have quickly announced the 33-year-old will rejoin their stable to again partner 2010 champion and current title leader Jorge Lorenzo, signing a two-year deal.

The move flies in the face of remarks made by Yamaha team boss Lin Jarvis in January this year when he said Rossi and Lorenzo back in the same team was “not an option”.

But with the duo back together again, Jarvis yesterday said: “This announcement is again excellent news for Yamaha. In June we were able to sign Jorge for the 2013-14 campaign, and now we are able to confirm Valentino for the next two years.

“In doing so we have been able to put together the strongest possible team in the championship to challenge for victories and to promote the Yamaha brand.”

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