Aoyama to Castrol Honda – decision imminent

Current Gresini Honda MotoGP man Hiroshi Aoyama is set to join the Castrol Honda squad in WSB in 2012. Long time GP rider and 250 world champion, Aoyama will line up alongside multiple race winner Jonathan Rea onboard the new for 2012 Honda Fireblade.

MCN understands that Aoyama who is currently competing in Phillip Island MotoGP round is yet to actually sign the contract, but the deal is thought to be in advanced stages with an announcement expected tomorrow.

The only potential stumbling block could be MotoGP bosses desire to keep a Japanese rider in their championship. Aoyama who is managed by Alberto Puig has no options to continue in MotoGP meaning the only way of staying in GP’s would be to race for a claiming rule team.

By switching to WSB and staying with Honda he would be on a proven race winning package with the chance of replicating the level of results achieved by MotoGP refugees Max Biaggi, Carlos Checa and Marco Melandri who have all switched to WSB in recent years.