Catalunya MotoGP: Alex de Angelis back in MotoGP

Alex de Angelis will get a chance to resurrect his MotoGP career having been confirmed as Hiroshi Aoyama’s injury replacement in the Interwetten Honda squad.

Japanese rider Aoyama is currently recovering from the broken back he suffered during warm-up for the British MotoGP race at Silverstone last month and he could be out until the Misano clash in early September.

Interwetten Honda boss Daniel Epp immediately made de Angelis his number one replacement target with the San Marino rider having previous experience of Honda’s RC212V machine and Bridgestone tyres. 

He was axed by the Gresini Honda squad at the end of last season despite finishing eighth in the world championship in a season that saw him claim his first podium finish at the Indianapolis round in America. Aussie Anthony West was also a contender for the Interwetten seat.

Interwetten has successfully negotiated a release for de Angelis from his contract with the cash-strapped RSM Team Scot Moto2 squad until reigning world 250GP champion Aoyama is fully recovered.

Former 250GP winner de Angelis said: “This is a very good chance for me and I am very happy. It is a very nice team with a Honda bike. I can come back to MotoGP through this opportunity. I will compete four or five races and have enough time to improve the settings and my feeling for the bike.

“So it is possible to have some good results, even though it is very difficult. I will do my best not to disappoint the team. I like all the tracks that are coming now and had success on each of them and I am looking forward for this new challenge.”

Aoyama was replaced by Honda test rider Kousuke Akiyoshi in Assen and Catalunya.

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