Toni Elias joins Gresini Honda

Spaniard Toni Elias will make a return to the Gresini Honda squad for the 2009 MotoGP world championship.

Having rejected the chance to stay with the Alice Ducati squad and also to ride a third factory Kawasaki ZX-RR next season, Elias has clinched a deal to ride alongside Alex de Angelis. Elias will ride a factory-backed Honda RC212V, though it is not expected to be the exact same spec those campaigned by Dani Pedrosa and Andrea Dovizioso.

Elias rode for Italian Fausto Gresini’s Honda squad in 2006 and 2007 but left after an injury-hit and disappointing campaign on the RC212V 800 machine.

Elias won a memorable Estoril GP in 2006 with his victory pivotal in the final outcome of the championship race between Valentino Rossi and Nicky Hayden.

His move, reported by MCN back at the Indianapolis GP three weeks ago, was confirmed today on the eve of the Phillip Island GP in Australia.

The deal means an anxious wait for Japanese rider Shinya Nakano. He has agreed a deal to ride a third factory Kawasaki in 2009, but is awaiting final confirmation tomorrow (Friday) on whether Kawasaki senior management will go ahead with the project.

Gresini said: “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 promise.

“The possibility to line up on 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. “

Gresini also announced today on the eve of the Australian GP that his satellite team will again be backed by San Carlo.