BLACKBURN'S motorbike ace Carl Fogarty has signed a further one-year deal with Ducati.

Fogarty's World Championship dream ended at the weekend when he crashed out of the World Superbike Championship in Albacete.

But as Fogarty signed a new contract with Ducati, he vowed: "I want to come back and win the championship with Ducati next year.

"I'm pleased to agree the deal because I've enjoyed my relationship with the team.

"I'm confident that the bike will be improved and be a lot stronger next year.

"Hopefully, we will be able to challenge Honda even harder."

American John Kocinski now holds a massive 52-point lead over Fogarty who is back in action at the Japanese Grand Prix on October 5.

That leaves Kocinski with a commanding lead with two rounds remaining in the 12-round series.

But Fogarty admitted: "I've ridden really hard this year, but realistically my championship hopes are over," admitted Fogarty.

"Before the weekend I was in with a big chance of two wins and the title. Now I can forget it.

"It is a big disappointment not to win the World Championship but it has made me more determined than ever to give it another big go in 1998."

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