Nakano gets to Czech out factory Honda
Added on Friday, July 25th, 2008 by Carole Nash Editor
Nakano gets to Czech out factory Honda
Shinya Nakano will ride a Honda factory bike at Brno in three weeks time as HRC continue their development plans for 2009.
The Honda Gresini rider has been rewarded for his strong form with the opportunity to ride a standard specification Honda RC212V as used by the Repsol Honda factory team which is expected to provide the basis for the 2009 satellite models to be sold to the Gresini, JiR Scott and LCR customer teams.
The decision comes following a strong season for Nakano which has seen him become the only rider aside from Valentino Rossi to score points in every round during 2008 and a worst finish of 13th back in round one at Losail.
Nakano´s team boss Fausto Gresini confirmed to motogp.com: “Shinya will have a new bike in Brno, which will basically be the base for developing the satellite version of 2009 Honda. HRC will rely on our team and Shinya, as it´s much easier in terms of communication with the Japanese engineers.
“For us this is obviously a privilege and the fruit of the close collaboration that has been going on for years between the Honda Gresini team and HRC.”
In addition to the news, Gresini also confirmed that he hoped to be able to reveal the team’s riders for the 2009 season.
Speculation has circulated that Gresini may attempt to sign former rider Marco Melandri after his contract was terminated by Ducati and the team boss added: “We´re on it and we may have something to announce after Brno.”
