Epp team to run Aoyama in MotoGP
Hiroshi Aoyama is to graduate to MotoGP next season on a satellite Honda run by 125cc and 250cc entrant Daniel M Epp
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.
Be part of the Autosport community
Join the conversationShare Or Save This Story
Hamilton accepts blame for incident with Albon in F1 Brazilian GP
Ferrari drivers called to F1 stewards over Brazilian GP collision
Will Alonso's Indy failure end the age of versatility?
Honda MotoGP test rider Aoyama to replace injured Miller at Motegi
Pedrosa tries further arm surgery, Aoyama stands in at Honda
Avintia confirms Aoyama for 2013 MotoGP season
Nicky Hayden: Remembering motorsport's much-loved "one-off" five years on
Morbidelli/Rossi relationship won’t change as MotoGP team-mates
Why Alex Marquez doesn't care about 'shutting up' MotoGP critics
WEC Imola: Ferrari remains on top in FP2 as Fuoco beats Porsche
WRC Croatia: Neuville, Evans tied for the lead after eight stages
WIN! A VIP Race Weekend Experience in Monaco
Lauda's 1976 German GP helmet to be auctioned at F1 Miami GP
Can anyone stop "changed" Bagnaia as Ducati tightens its grip on MotoGP?
The signs that MotoGP's Japanese powerhouses are changing for the better
The other Suzuki signing that could transform Honda's MotoGP form
How the MotoGP paddock has offered refuge to Suzuki's former team
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments