Tamada bags new WSB deal
Added on Thursday, January 21st, 2010 by Carole Nash Editor
Tamada bags new WSB deal
Makoto Tamada has secured a place in World Superbikes after signing up with the Pro Ride Honda team for 2010.
The Japanese rider has agreed to join the Honda satellite team after being cut by PSG-1 Kawasaki Corse at the end of the season and will test for the first time with his new team in Portimao this weekend.
Tamada, a former MotoGP race winner with Pramac Honda, had a difficult year last season, with injuries, retirements and a series of no-point finishes seeing him finish a lowly 27th in the championship.
But the 33 year old is pleased to be back on Honda machinery and feels that he can be competitive in this year’s championship.
“As much as I am excited to work with Marco (Nicotari), I am thrilled to be back with Honda,” he said. “I have always been a “Honda” rider. I have not performed at my best potential since I left Honda. This year, I plan to be competitive, and show everyone that Makoto Tamada is still very competitive. I thank Honda and Marco for believing in me and I plan to repay them with a couple of wins this year.”
“The entire Team is thrilled about this agreement. I have been observing Makoto for a long time and I really believe that he has the spirit we are looking for,” added Pro Ride Honda boss Marco Nicotari. “He knows Honda machines and he knows how to be fast. I truly believe that with us he can be back on top.
