Epp team to run Aoyama in MotoGP

The 27-year-old Japanese rider currently leads the 250cc championship with three rounds to go, and had long been rumoured to be in line for a MotoGP promotion on an additional customer Honda.

Epp's Emmi Caffe Latte team won the 2005 125cc title with Thomas Luthi and currently runs the Swiss rider in 250cc.

"We are pleased to announce that we have completed a deal to run a Honda RC212V in the MotoGP class in the 2010 season," said Epp.

"After winning the World Championship in 2005 with Tom Luthi on the 125cc Honda, it's a great pleasure for me to join up again with Honda.

"Now, after all these years we have finally been able to achieve our dream of presenting a MotoGP project. We are proud to become part of the premier class of motorcycle grand prix racing."

Full details of Epp and Aoyama's MotoGP project will be released at the Valencia season finale next month.

Aoyama's graduation means that the top four in 250cc all have MotoGP rides lined up for 2010. Marco Simoncelli has secured a Gresini Honda deal, Alvaro Bautista will replace Chris Vermeulen in the factory Suzuki line-up, and Hector Barbera will lead Aspar's new satellite Ducati team. Mattia Pasini, currently fifth in 250cc, has also tested with Ducati.