There’s been so much talk, and with so much certainty, about riders moving teams in MotoGP – specifically Stoner to Honda, and Rossi to Ducati – that you can’t really call them rumours. And they’re starting to come true.

The stage was set this morning with the confirmation that Casey Stoner will be leaving Ducati at the end of the season.

Lo and behold, minutes later, Honda announced the signing of Stoner, to what’s hoped to be a three-rider factory team.

There may have only been minutes in it, but it’s nice to see the announcements being orchestrated such that one relationship was ended before another was announced. It’s only right and proper.

The words from Ducati and Stoner could be superficial, but they sound genuine to me, and I hope they are. Ducati’s Filippo Preziosi:

“In Casey we not only found an incredibly talented rider, but also an honest and loyal guy and that’s why there will always be a strong and sincere bond between us, even as a competitor.”

And Stoner:

“I must thank Ducati for giving me such a great opportunity to race and win with them over these past four years. They took a gamble when they signed me at the end of 2006 as I was unknown, but as we worked together we were able to win a Championship, many races and challenge for the Championship in the last two seasons.”

To be fair to Ducati, Stoner wasn’t quite unknown at the end of 2006, but he was mainly known for binning it rather too often.

How long, then, until Ducati confirm Valentino Rossi?