Indianapolis MotoGP: Toni Elias signs for Gresini Honda?

Plans to run a third factory Kawasaki in 2009 appear to have hit trouble in America with top target Toni Elias heavily rumoured to have signed a deal to rejoin Fausto Gresini’s satellite Honda squad.

Elias was part of a planned Kawasaki squad to be run by former world 125 champion Jorge Martinez. There has been no confirmation on Elias’s 2009 future, but MCN has learned he has also rejected the chance to remain in the Alice Ducati squad.

Elias has apparently secured a factory RC212V from HRC and if his move to Gresini then it is likely to spell the end of Shinya Nakano’s MotoGP career with Alex de Angelis extending his contract with the San Carlo squad for next season earlier this week.

Martinez still plans to lease a third ZX-RR machine from Kawasaki with current Aprilia 250 rider Alex Debon believed to be one possible option.

Martinez’s highly-rated Spanish star Alvaro Bautista is unlikely to have a change of heart after he committed himself to another campaign in the 250GP world championship in 2009.