Gresini confirm Elias swoop
Added on Thursday, October 2nd, 2008 by Carole Nash Editor
Gresini confirm Elias swoop
Toni Elias will end his Ducati nightmare by returning to the Gresini Honda team in 2009.
The Spaniard, who raced with the Gresini Honda satellite team in 2006 and 2007, has been confirmed as the team’s new rider for next year and will partner Alex de Angelis, replacing Japanese rider Shinya Nakano.
The move brings an end to a one-year spell with the Alice Ducati team which, despite podium finishes in Brno and Misano, Elias has struggled to get to grips with the Desmosedici GP8 this year, leaving him sat in 12th place in the championship.
The announcement comes as Gresini make bold claims about their future, announcing a renewed sponsorship deal with San Carlo and the running of factory-spec Honda RC212Vs for the 2009 season.
“I’m happy to announce the Team San Carlo Honda Gresini sports programme for the 2009 season, a new adventure that is going to be very challenging and with great premise,” proclaimed team manager Fausto Gresini. “The possibility to line up a Honda factory spec machine represents for us a sign of esteem from HRC and it will offer to us all the potential to make a great season.
“Welcome back to Toni Elias who will be Alex De Angelis’ new team mate in 2009, recently confirmed after his debut season in MotoGP.
“I would like to thank San Carlo that will continue to collaborate with us as title sponsor of the team. We are proud of the relationship that has been created with the Italian company and also with the other partners of the squad: we expect to collect together great results and satisfaction.
Gresini also acknowledged the contribution of Shinya Nakano in 2008 – the only Honda rider to have finished every race this season.
“At last an acknowledgment to Shinya Nakano who contributed to another chapter of Gresini Racing. I wish him good luck in continuing his career,” he added.
