Italian media reported Wednesday that the signing of American MotoGP standout Ben Spies and Italian Moto2 winner Andrea Iannone as the riders for the new Ducati junior team in 2013 is a "done deal."

Spies hinted to the same Italian media Tuesday that he would have more information to announce about 2013 later this week.

The pairing would pair two of the better nicknames in the MotoGP paddock in the same garage: "Elbowz" Spies and "Crazy Joe" Iannone.