Simoncelli signs with Gresini
Added on Thursday, June 25th, 2009 by Carole Nash Editor | No Comments
Simoncelli signs with Gresini
San Carlo Honda Gresini have confirmed the signing of 250cc world champion Marco Simoncelli for the 2010 MotoGP season.
The Honda satellite team have fended off reported interest from Suzuki and Yamaha for the highly sought after Italian, who will ride with the Gresini team in his rookie season in premier class racing.
Gresini are generally regarded to have a close relationship with HRC and, with rookies now banned from signing with factory teams, the move is largely considered to be preparation for Simoncelli switch to the Repsol factory Honda team in 2011.
“Marco has that determination and character that we want from a rider as part of his DNA and we are sure we can look ahead to exciting times with him,” said team principal Fausto Gresini.
“Marco has shown over the past couple of years that he has the ability to be a major force in the premier class, as well as being a great communicator. We have established a good feeling with him already and that facilitated negotiations over a contract that we have signed for 2010. Also, Honda rates Simoncelli highly and believes he is a rider with great potential for the future, so Honda is very pleased that we are welcoming Simoncelli next season.”
As well as signing the 22-year-old, Gresini received an additional boost ahead of this weekend’s round in Assen, announcing an extension to their sponsorship with Italian food manufacturer San Carlo.
“Having Marco with us creates new and important objectives for the team, which San Carlo want to reach together with us. The determination on the part of San Carlo to be an active part of “sport that makes life taste better” has given our project another push.
” Today is an important day for San Carlo and ourselves, and as we wait in expectation of great things together in the future, we wish Marco all the best in his bid to fight until the end and successfully defend his 250 title.”
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